SYN-2015.01.03-10K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K



x	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2015



¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-19687

SYNALLOY CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		57-0426694
(State of incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
775 Spartan Blvd, Suite 102, P.O. Box 5627, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29304
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (864) 585-3605
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act		Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, $1.00 Par Value		NASDAQ Global Market
(Title of Class)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)



Large accelerated Filer ¨	Accelerated filer x	Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No x

Based on the closing price as of June 27, 2014, which was the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $135.6 million. Based on the closing price as of March 4, 2015, the aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $122.9 million. The registrant did not have any non-voting common equity outstanding at either date.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of March 4, 2015 was 8,710,302.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2015 annual shareholders' meeting are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

Synalloy Corporation

Form 10-K

For Period Ended January 3, 2015

Table of Contents



			Page #
Part I
	Item 1	Business	2
	Item 1A	Risk Factors	7
	Item 1B	Unresolved Staff Comments	14
	Item 2	Properties	14
	Item 3	Legal Proceedings	14
	Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	14
Part II
	Item 5	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Security	15
	Item 6	Selected Financial Data	17
	Item 7	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	17
	Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks	27
	Item 8	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	28
		Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	32
		Segment Information	46
		Management's Annual Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	57
		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Consolidated Financial Statements	58
		Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Internal Control	59
	Item 9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	60
	Item 9A	Controls and Procedures	60
	Item 9B	Other Information	61
Part III
	Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	61
	Item 11	Executive Compensation	61
	Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	61
	Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	63
	Item 14	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	63
Part IV
	Item 15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	64
Signatures			65
Index to Exhibits			66

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes and incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. The words "estimate," "project," "intend," "expect," "believe," "should," "anticipate," "hope," "optimistic," "plan," "outlook," "should," "could," "may" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those identified below, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated: adverse economic conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product demand and acceptance risks; raw material and other increased costs; raw materials availability; employee relations; ability to maintain workforce by hiring trained employees; labor efficiencies; customer delays or difficulties in the production of products; new fracking regulations; a prolonged decrease in oil prices; unforeseen delays in completing the integrations of acquisitions; risks associated with mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and other expansion activities; financial stability of our customers; environmental issues; unavailability of debt financing on acceptable terms and exposure to increased market interest rate risk; inability to comply with covenants and ratios required by our debt financing arrangements; ability to weather an economic downturn; loss of consumer or investor confidence and other risks detailed from time-to-time in Synalloy Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Synalloy Corporation assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

PART I

Item 1 Business

Synalloy Corporation, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945. Its charter is perpetual. The name was changed on July 31, 1967 from Blackman Uhler Industries, Inc. On June 3, 1988, the state of incorporation was changed from South Carolina to Delaware. The Company's executive offices are located at 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 102, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29301 and 4301 Dominion Boulevard, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Synalloy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

The Company's business is divided into two segments, the Metals Segment and the Specialty Chemicals Segment. The Metals Segment operates as Bristol Metals, LLC ("BRISMET"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synalloy Metals, Inc., Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc. ("Palmer") and Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc. ("Specialty"). BRISMET manufactures stainless steel and other alloy pipe. Palmer manufactures liquid storage solutions and separation equipment, and Specialty is a master distributor of seamless carbon pipe and tube. The Metals Segment's markets include the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, mining, power generation (including nuclear), water and waste water treatment, liquid natural gas ("LNG"), brewery, food processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical and other industries. The Specialty Chemicals Segment operates as Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC ("MC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company, located in Cleveland, Tennessee and CRI Tolling, LLC ("CRI Tolling"), located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The Specialty Chemicals Segment produces specialty chemicals for the chemical, paper, metals, mining, agricultural, fiber, paint, textile, automotive, petroleum, cosmetics, mattress, furniture, janitorial and other industries.

General

Metals Segment – This segment is comprised of three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Synalloy Metals, Inc., which owns 100 percent of Bristol Metals, LLC, located in Bristol, Tennessee; Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc., located in Andrews, Texas; and Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc., located in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas.

BRISMET manufactures welded pipe, primarily from stainless steel, but also from other corrosion-resistant metals. Pipe is produced in sizes from one-half inch to 120 inches in diameter and wall thickness up to one and one-half inches. Eighteen-inch and smaller diameter pipe is made on equipment that forms and welds the pipe in a continuous process. Pipe larger than 18 inches in diameter is formed on presses or rolls and welded on batch welding equipment. Pipe is normally produced in standard 20-foot lengths. However, BRISMET has unusual capabilities in the production of long length pipe without circumferential welds. This can reduce installation cost for the customer. Lengths up to 60 feet can be produced in sizes up to 18 inches in diameter. In larger sizes BRISMET has a unique ability among domestic producers to make 48-foot lengths in diameters up to 36 inches. Over the past six years, BRISMET has made substantial capital improvements, expanding and improving capabilities to service markets requiring large diameter pipe and specialty alloy pipe such as water and waste water treatment, LNG, and scrubber applications for the power industry. These improvements include expanding its x-ray facilities which allows simultaneous use of real time and film examination; updating material handling equipment; expanding capabilities for forming large pipe on existing batch equipment,

giving BRISMET the capability to produce 36-inch diameter pipe in 48-foot lengths with wall thicknesses of up to one inch; adding a shear that has the capacity of shearing stainless steel plate up to one-inch thick; completing plant expansions that allow the manufacture of pipe up to 42 inches in diameter utilizing more readily available raw materials at lower costs, provide additional manufacturing capacity, and provide improved product handling and additional space for planned equipment additions; installing automated hydro-testing equipment for pipe up to 72 inches in diameter; installing an energy efficient furnace to anneal pipe quicker while minimizing natural gas usage; and system improvements in pickling to maintain the proper chemical composition of the pickling acid.

Palmer is an International Organization for Standardization ("ISO") 9001 certified manufacturer of fiberglass and steel storage tanks for the oil and gas, waste water treatment and municipal water industries. Located in Andrews, Texas, Palmer is ideally located in the heart of oil and gas production territory. Palmer produces made-to-order fiberglass tanks, utilizing a variety of custom mandrels and application specific materials. Their fiberglass tanks range from two feet to 30 feet in diameter at various heights. The majority of these tanks is used for oil field waste water capture and is an integral part of the environmental regulatory compliance of the drilling process. Each fiberglass tank is manufactured to American Petroleum Institute Q1 standards to ensure product quality. In 2007, Palmer began investing in a dedicated steel tank production facility. Over the past four years, Palmer has built an integrated production facility housing enclosed steel preparation, computer assisted plasma cutting table, automated submerged arc welding, blasting, painting and drying buildings. The facility enables efficient, environmentally compliant steel production with designed-in expansion capability to support future growth. Finished steel tanks range in size from 50 to 10,000 barrels and are used to store extracted oil. During 2014, Palmer obtained all of the necessary certifications to produce certified pressure vessels. These certifications allow Palmer to sell all of the separator and storage equipment needed at a well site.

Specialty is a leading master distributor of hot finish, seamless, carbon steel pipe and tubing, with an emphasis on large outside diameters and exceptionally heavy wall thickness. Specialty's products are primarily used for mechanical and high pressure applications in the oil and gas, capital goods manufacturing, heavy industrial, construction equipment, paper and chemical industries. Operating from two facilities located in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas, Specialty is well-positioned to serve the major industrial and energy regions and successfully reach other target markets across the United States. Specialty performs value-added services on approximately 80 percent of products shipped, which would include cutting to length, heat treatment, testing, boring and end finishing and typically processes and ships orders in 24 hours or less. Based upon its short lead times, Specialty plays a critical role in the supply chain, supplying long lead-time items to markets that demand fast deliveries, custom lengths and reliable execution of orders.

In order to establish stronger business relationships, the Metals Segment uses only a few raw material suppliers. Seven suppliers furnish about 82 percent of total dollar purchases of raw materials, with one supplier furnishing 42 percent of material purchases. However, the Company does not believe that the loss of this supplier would have a materially adverse effect on the Company as raw materials are readily available from a number of different sources, and the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its requirements.

This segment's stainless steel products are used principally by customers requiring materials that are corrosion-resistant or suitable for high-purity processes. The largest users are the chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, waste water treatment and LNG industries, with some other important industry users being mining, power generation (including nuclear), water treatment, brewery, food processing, petroleum, pharmaceutical and alternative fuels. The segment's chrome alloy products are used primarily in the power generation and chemical industries.

Specialty Chemicals Segment – This segment consists of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company ("MS&C"). MS&C owns 100 percent of the membership interests of MC, which has a production facility in Cleveland, Tennessee and a warehouse in Dalton, Georgia. This segment also includes CRI Tolling which is located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. Both facilities are fully licensed for chemical manufacture. The segment produces specialty chemicals for the oil and gas, carpet, chemical, paper, metals, mining, agricultural, fiber, paint, textile, automotive, petroleum, cosmetics, mattress, furniture, janitorial and other industries.

MC, which was purchased by the Company in 1996, produces over 1,100 specialty formulations and intermediates for use in a wide variety of applications and industries. MC's primary product lines focus on the areas of defoamers, surfactants and lubricating agents. Over 20 years ago, MC began diversifying its marketing efforts and expanding beyond traditional textile chemical markets. These three fundamental product lines find their way into a large number of manufacturing businesses. Over the years, the customer list has grown to include end users and chemical companies that supply paper, metal working, surface coatings, water treatment, paint, mining and janitorial applications. MC's capabilities also include the sulfation of fats and oils. These products are used in a wide variety of applications and represent a renewable resource, animal and vegetable derivatives, as alternatives to more expensive and non-renewable petroleum derivatives. In its Dalton, Georgia facility, MC stores and ships chemicals and specialty chemicals manufactured in MC's Cleveland, Tennessee plant to the carpet and rug market.

MC's strategy has been to focus on industries and markets that have good prospects for sustainability in the U.S. in light of global trends. MC's marketing strategy relies on sales to end users through its own sales force, but it also sells chemical intermediates to other chemical companies and distributors. It also has close working relationships with a significant number of major chemical companies that outsource their production for regional manufacture and distribution to companies like MC. MC has been ISO registered since 1995.

CRI Tolling, which acquired substantially all of the assets of Color Resources, LLC and the facility formerly used by Color Resources, LLC in August 2013, is located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. CRI Tolling has underutilized manufacturing capacity which allows the Company to expand production from MC's Cleveland, Tennessee facility to further penetrate existing markets, as well as develop new ones, including those in the energy industry, and provides redundant production capabilities for key products. The Company invested approximately $3,500,000 in equipment at CRI Tolling during 2014. The new equipment provided CRI Tolling with production capabilities similar to those currently in place at MC's facility and increased the production capacity of the Specialty Chemicals Segment by 60 percent.

The Specialty Chemicals Segment maintains two laboratories for applied research and quality control which are staffed by nine employees.

Most raw materials used by the segment are generally available from numerous independent suppliers and almost 50 percent of total purchases are from its top eight suppliers. While some raw material needs are met by a sole supplier or only a few suppliers, the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its raw material requirements.

Please see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for financial information about the Company's segments.

Sales and Distribution

Metals Segment – The Metals Segment utilizes separate sales organizations for its different product groups. Stainless steel pipe is sold nationwide under the BRISMET trade name through authorized stocking distributors at warehouse locations throughout the country. In addition, large quantity orders are shipped directly from BRISMET's plant to end-user customers. Producing sales and providing service to the distributors and end-user customers are BRISMET's President, two outside sales employees, ten independent manufacturers' representatives and nine inside sales employees.

Palmer does not employ a dedicated external sales and marketing resource. However, it employs two inside sales professionals that manage the relationships with past customers to identify and secure new sales. Additionally, the Metals Segment President assists in account relationship management with large customers. Customer feedback and in-field experience generate product enhancements and new product development.

Approximately 80 percent of Specialty's pipe sales are to North American pipe and tube distributors with the remainder comprised of direct to customer orders. In addition to Specialty's President, Specialty utilizes two manufacturing representatives and 7 inside sales employees, whom are located at both locations, to obtain sales orders and service its customers.

There were no customers representing more than ten percent of the Metals Segment's revenues for 2014 and 2012 but had one domestic customer that accounted for approximately ten percent of revenues in 2013. These revenues were for the Bechtel nuclear project which will not recur in the future.

Specialty Chemicals Segment – Specialty chemicals are sold directly to various industries nationwide by six full-time outside sales employees and thirteen manufacturers' representatives. The Specialty Chemicals Segment has one domestic customer that accounted for approximately 31 percent of the Segment's revenues in 2014 with a different domestic customer representing 40 percent in 2013 and 28 percent in 2012. The change in customers resulted from two of the three product lines which use our products were sold to another company in early 2014. The Specialty Chemicals Segment successfully retained the acquiring customer's business. This new customer is a large global company, and the purchases by this customer are derived from two different business units that operate autonomously from each other. Even so, loss of this customer's revenues would have a material adverse effect on both the Specialty Chemicals Segment and the Company.

Competition

Metals Segment – Welded stainless steel pipe is the largest sales volume product of the Metals Segment. Although information is not publicly available regarding the sales of most other producers of this product, management believes that the Company is one of the largest domestic producers of such pipe. This commodity product is highly competitive with nine known domestic producers and imports from many different countries.

Due to the size of the tanks produced and shipped to its customers, the majority of Palmer's products are sold within a 300 mile radius from its plant in Andrews, Texas. There are currently 15 tank producers, with similar capabilities, servicing that same area.

Specialty is a leader in the specialized products segment of the pipe and tube market by offering an industry-leading in-stock inventory of a broad range of high quality products, including specialized products with limited availability. Specialty's dual branches have both common and regional-specific products and capabilities. There are four known significant pipe and tube distributors with similar capabilities to Specialty.

Specialty Chemicals Segment – The Company is the sole producer of certain specialty chemicals manufactured for other companies under processing agreements and also produces proprietary specialty chemicals. The Company's sales of specialty products are insignificant compared to the overall market for specialty chemicals. The market for most of the products is highly competitive and many competitors have substantially greater resources than does the Company.

Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions

The Company is committed to a long-term strategy of (a) reinvesting capital in our current business segments to foster their organic growth, (b) disposing of underperforming business segments with negative projected cash flows and (c) completing acquisitions that expand our current business segments or establish new manufacturing platforms. Targeted acquisitions are priced to be economically feasible and focus on achieving positive long-term benefits. These acquisitions may be paid for in the form of cash, stock, debt or a combination thereof. The amount and type of consideration and deal charges paid could have a short-term dilutive effect on the Company's earnings per share. However, such transactions are anticipated to provide long-term economic benefit to the Company.

On November 21, 2014, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with The Davidson Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Davidson"), to purchase all of the issued and outstanding stock of Specialty. Established in 1964 with distribution centers in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas, Specialty is a master distributor of seamless carbon pipe and tube, with a focus on heavy wall, large diameter products. The purchase price for the all-cash acquisition was $31,500,000, subject to working capital adjustments post-closing. Davidson has the potential to receive earn-out payments up to a total of $5,000,000 if Specialty achieves targeted sales revenue over a two-year period following closing. The purchase price for the acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand, a new term loan with the Company's bank and an increase to the Company's current credit facility. The financial results for Specialty are reported as a part of the Company's Metals Segment.

On August 29, 2014, the Company completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ram-Fab, LLC, a South Carolina limited liability company ("Ram-Fab"), to a subsidiary of Primoris Services Corporation. The transaction was valued at less than $10 million, which consideration included cash at closing, Synalloy's ability to receive potential future earn-out payment(s) and the retention of specified Ram-Fab current assets. The Company realized a one-time charge in the third quarter of 2014 of $1,996,000 for costs associated with the closure plus a $947,000 charge to write off the Company's investment in Ram-Fab. These charges, along with all non-recurring revenues and expenses associated with Ram-Fab are included in the respective consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations. Ram-Fab was reported as a part of the Metals Segment.

On June 27, 2014, the Company completed the planned closure of the Bristol Fabrication unit of Synalloy Fabrication, LLC ("Bristol Fab"). Bristol Fab's collective bargaining agreement with the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada Local Union No. 538 (the "Union") expired on February 15, 2014. After lengthy negotiations with the Union, Bristol Fab was unable to reach an agreement. Also, upon closure of the operation, the Company was legally obligated to pay a withdrawal liability to the Union's pension fund of over $1.9 million. The Company realized a one-time charge in the second quarter of 2014 of $6,988,000 for costs associated with the closure of Bristol Fab. These costs, along with all non-recurring revenues and expenses associated with Bristol Fab, are included in the respective consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations.

In August, 2013, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary CRI Tolling, completed the purchase of the business assets of Color Resources, LLC (“CRI”) and the building and land located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina where CRI was the sole tenant (the “CRI Facility”). CRI Tolling, a South Carolina limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, continued CRI’s business as that of a toll manufacturer that provides outside manufacturing resources to global and regional chemical companies. On August 9, 2013, Synalloy purchased the CRI Facility for a total purchase price of $3,450,000. On August 26, 2013, the Company purchased certain assets and assumed certain operating liabilities of CRI through CRI Tolling for a total purchase price of $1,100,000. The assets purchased from CRI included accounts receivable, inventory, certain other assets, and equipment, net of assumed payables. The Company used the acquisition of CRI and the CRI Facility to expand its production capacity from its Cleveland, Tennessee facility to further penetrate existing markets, as well as develop new ones, including those in the energy industry. CRI Tolling operates as a division of Synalloy’s Specialty Chemicals Segment, which includes MC. The Company viewed both the building and operating assets of CRI together as one business, capable of providing a return to ownership by expanding the segment's production capacity. Accordingly, the acquisition met the definition of a business and the transaction

is structured in a way that meets the definition of a business combination under accounting standards generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").

On August 21, 2012, the Company completed the purchase of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Lee-Var, Inc. (now Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc.), a Texas corporation doing business as Palmer of Texas, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement (the "SPA") among Palmer's former shareholders and the Company dated August 10, 2012. Palmer is a manufacturer of liquid storage solutions and separation equipment for the petroleum, municipal water, wastewater, chemical and food industries. The purchase price for the Palmer acquisition was $25,575,000 in cash, subject to working capital and fixed asset adjustments at closing. The adjustments at closing increased the purchase price to $26,951,209. Palmer shareholders also have the ability to receive contingent consideration ("earn-out") payments ranging from $2,500,000 to $10,500,000 if the business unit achieves targeted levels of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") over a three year period following closing; and the Company will have the ability to claw-back portions of the purchase price over a two year period following closing if EBITDA falls below baseline levels. The former Palmer shareholders received the first year earn-out payment during 2013 of $2,500,000. This amount was partially offset by claims made against the sellers, as designated in the SPA, amounting to $885,000. The net amount paid to the sellers after the first year of Synalloy ownership was $1,615,000. The actual second year EBITDA for Palmer fell below the minimum target level and no payment was made in 2014. Looking out to the third and final year of the earn-out period, management does expect Palmer to achieve the threshold EBITDA target of $5.825 million. The Company remains pleased with Palmer’s performance to date and its prospects for the future; however, management does not expect the business unit to reach the second tier level of $6,825,000 for the final earn-out period.

Environmental Matters

Environmental expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and do not contribute to future revenue generation are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or cleanups are probable and the costs of these assessments and/or cleanups can be reasonably estimated. Changes to laws and environmental issues, including climate change, are made or proposed with some frequency and some of the proposals, if adopted, might directly or indirectly result in a material reduction in the operating results of one or more of our operating units. We are presently unable to foresee the future well enough to quantify such risks. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for further discussion.

Research and Development Activities

The Company spent approximately $531,000 in 2014, $558,000 in 2013 and $612,000 in 2012 on research and development activities that were expensed in its Specialty Chemicals Segment. Six individuals, five of whom are graduate chemists, are engaged primarily in research and development of new products and processes, the improvement of existing products and processes, and the development of new applications for existing products.

Seasonal Nature of the Business

With the exception of Palmer and Specialty's Houston location, which primarily serves the oil and gas industry, the Company’s businesses and products are generally not subject to any seasonal impact that results in significant variations in revenues from one quarter to another. Fourth quarter revenue and profit for Palmer and Specialty Houston can be as much as 25 percent below the other three quarters due to vacation schedules for customer field crews working at the drill sites.

Backlogs

The Specialty Chemicals Segment operates primarily on the basis of delivering products soon after orders are received. Accordingly, backlogs are not a factor in this business. The same applies to commodity pipe sales in the Metals Segment. However, backlogs are important in the Metals Segment's steel and fiberglass tanks since tanks are produced only after orders are received. Its backlog of open orders were $12,229,000 and $11,477,000 at the end of 2014 and 2013, respectively. Management began tracking Palmer backlog during the fourth quarter of 2013. Therefore, backlog levels prior to 2013 are not available.

Employee Relations

At January 3, 2015, the Company had 464 employees. The Company considers relations with employees to be satisfactory. The number of employees of the Company represented by unions, located at the Bristol, Tennessee and Mineral Ridge, Ohio facilities, is 162, or 35 percent of the Company's employees. They are represented by two locals affiliated with the United Steelworkers and one local affiliated with the Teamsters. Collective bargaining contracts for the Steelworkers will expire in June 2017 and July 2019. The Company has given notice to the Teamsters that their contract will not be renewed. There are two employees represented by this union.

Financial Information about Geographic Areas

Information about revenues derived from domestic and foreign customers is set forth in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Available information

The Company electronically files with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") its annual reports on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, its periodic reports on Form 8-K, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), and proxy materials pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act. The SEC maintains a site on the Internet, www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The Company also makes its filings available, free of charge, through its Web site, www.synalloy.com, as soon as reasonably practical after the electronic filing of such material with the SEC. The information on the Company's Web site is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other filing the Company makes with the SEC.

Item 1A Risk Factors

There are inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our business that could adversely affect our operating performance and financial condition. Set forth below are descriptions of those risks and uncertainties that we believe to be material, but the risks and uncertainties described are not the only risks and uncertainties that could affect our business. Reference should be made to "Forward-Looking Statements" above, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 below.

The cyclical nature of the industries in which our customers operate causes demand for our products to be cyclical, creating uncertainty regarding future profitability. Various changes in general economic conditions affect the industries in which our customers operate. These changes include decreases in the rate of consumption or use of our customers’ products due to economic downturns. Other factors causing fluctuation in our customers’ positions are changes in market demand, capital spending, lower overall pricing due to domestic and international overcapacity, lower priced imports, currency fluctuations, and increases in use or decreases in prices of substitute materials. As a result of these factors, our profitability has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuation.

Domestic competition could force lower product pricing and may have an adverse effect on our revenues and profitability. From time-to-time, intense competition and excess manufacturing capacity in the commodity stainless steel industry have resulted in reduced selling prices, excluding raw material surcharges, for many of our stainless steel products sold by the Metals Segment. In order to maintain market share, we would have to lower our prices to match the competition. These factors have had and may continue to have an adverse impact on our revenues, operating results and financial condition and may continue to do so in the future.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by an increased level of imported products. Our business is susceptible to the import of products from other countries, particularly steel products. Import levels of various products are affected by, among other things, overall world-wide demand, lower cost of production in other countries, the trade practices of foreign governments, government subsidies to foreign producers and governmentally imposed trade restrictions in the United States. Although imports from certain countries have been curtailed by anti-dumping duties, imported products from

other countries could significantly reduce prices. Increased imports of certain products, whether illegal dumping or legal imports, could reduce demand for our products in the future and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Specialty Chemicals Segment uses significant quantities of a variety of specialty and commodity chemicals in its manufacturing processes, which are subject to price and availability fluctuations that may have an adverse impact on our financial performance. The raw materials we use are generally available from numerous independent suppliers. However, some of our raw material needs are met by a sole supplier or only a few suppliers. If any supplier that we rely on for raw materials ceases or limits production, we may incur significant additional costs, including capital costs, in order to find alternate, reliable raw material suppliers. We may also experience significant production delays while locating new supply sources, which could result in our failure to timely deliver products to our customers. Purchase prices and availability of these critical raw materials are subject to volatility. Some of the raw materials used by the Specialty Chemicals Segment are derived from petrochemical-based feedstock, such as crude oil and natural gas, which have been subject to historical periods of rapid and significant movements in price. These fluctuations in price could be aggravated by factors beyond our control such as political instability, and supply and demand factors, including Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ("OPEC") production quotas and increased global demand for petroleum-

based products. At any given time we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of these critical raw materials on a timely basis, at prices and other terms acceptable, or at all. If suppliers increase the price of critical raw materials, we may not have alternative sources of supply. We attempt to pass changes in the prices of raw materials along to our customers. However, we cannot always do so, and any limitation on our ability to pass through any price increases could have an adverse effect on our financial performance. Any significant variations in the cost and availability of our specialty and commodity materials may negatively affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, specifically for the Specialty Chemicals Segment.

We rely on a small number of suppliers for our raw materials and any interruption in our supply chain could affect our operations. In order to foster stronger business relationships, the Metals Segment uses only a few raw material suppliers. During the year ended January 3, 2015, seven suppliers furnished approximately 82 percent of our total dollar purchases of raw materials, with one supplier providing 42 percent. However, these raw materials are available from a number of sources, and the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its raw materials requirements for the Metals Segment. Raw materials used by the Specialty Chemicals Segment are generally available from numerous independent suppliers and approximately 50 percent of total purchases were made from our top eight suppliers during the year ended January 3, 2015. Although some raw material needs are met by a single supplier or only a few suppliers, the Company anticipates no difficulties in fulfilling its raw material requirements for the Specialty Chemicals Segment. While the Company believes that raw materials for both segments are readily available from numerous sources, the loss of one or more key suppliers in either segment, or any other material change in our current supply channels, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to meet the demand for its products, which could impact our operations, revenues and financial results.

A substantial portion of our overall sales is dependent upon a limited number of customers, and the loss of one or more of such customers would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and profitability. The products of the Specialty Chemicals Segment are sold to various industries nationwide. However, that segment has one domestic customer that accounted for approximately 31 percent of revenues in 2014 with a different domestic customer representing 40 percent of revenues in 2013 and 28 percent of revenues in 2012. The change in customers resulted from two of the three product lines which use our products being sold to another company in early 2014. The Specialty Chemicals Segment successfully retained the acquiring company's business. This new customer is a large global company, and its purchases are derived from two different business units that operate independently of each other. Even so, the loss of this customer would have a material adverse effect on the revenues of the Specialty Chemicals Segment and the Company.

The Metals Segment did not have any customer that accounted for more than ten percent of the segment's revenues for 2014 and 2013. There was one domestic customer that accounted for approximately eleven percent of the segment’s revenues in 2013. These revenues were for the Bechtel nuclear project which will not recur in the future. Palmer and Specialty, which are a part of the Metals Segment, sell much of their products to the oil and gas industry. Any change in this industry, or any change in this industry’s demand for their products, would have a material adverse effect on the profits of the Metals Segment and the Company.

Our operating results are sensitive to the availability and cost of energy and freight, which are important in the manufacture and transport of our products. Our operating costs increase when energy or freight costs rise. During periods of increasing energy and freight costs, we might not be able to fully recover our operating cost increases through price increases without reducing demand for our products. In addition, we are dependent on third party freight carriers to transport many of our products, all of which are dependent on fuel to transport our products. The prices for and availability of electricity, natural gas, oil, diesel fuel and other energy resources are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by political and economic factors beyond our control. Disruptions in the supply of energy resources could temporarily impair the ability to manufacture products for customers and may result in the decline of freight carrier capacity in our geographic markets, or make freight carriers unavailable. Further, increases in energy or freight costs that cannot be passed on to customers, or changes in costs relative to energy and freight costs paid by competitors, has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our profitability.

Oil prices are extremely volatile. A substantial or extended decline in the price of oil could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Prices for oil can fluctuate widely. Our Palmer and Specialty (Texas) units' revenues are highly dependent on our customers adding oil well drilling and pumping locations. Should oil prices decline such that drilling becomes unprofitable for our customers, such customers will likely cap many of their current wells and cease or curtail expansion. This will decrease the demand for our tanks and pipe and tube and adversely affect the results of our operations.

Significant changes in nickel prices could have an impact on the sales by the Metals Segment. The Metals Segment uses nickel in a number of its products. Nickel prices are currently at a relatively low level, which reduces our manufacturing costs for certain products. When nickel prices increase, many of our customers increase their orders in an attempt to avoid future price increases, resulting in increased sales for the Metals Segment. Conversely, when nickel prices decrease, many of our customers wait to place orders in an attempt to take advantage of subsequent price decreases, resulting in reduced sales for the Metals Segment. On average, the Metals Segment turns its inventory of commodity pipe every four months, but the nickel surcharge on sales of commodity

pipe is established on a weekly basis. The difference, if any, between the price of nickel on the date of purchase of the raw material and the price, as established by the surcharge, on the date of sale has the potential to create an inventory profit or loss. If the price of nickel steadily increases over time, as it did from 2005 to 2007, the Metals Segment is the beneficiary of the increase in nickel price in the form of inventory gains. Conversely, if the price of nickel steadily decreases over time, as it has from 2009 to 2013, the Metals Segment suffers inventory losses. During 2014, nickel prices were relatively unchanged. The Metals Segment incurred inventory losses of $118,000 for the year ended January 3, 2015. We will incur inventory losses in the future if nickel prices decrease. Any material changes in the cost of nickel could impact our sales and result in fluctuations in the profits for the Metals Segment.

We encounter significant competition in all areas of our businesses and may be unable to compete effectively, which could result in reduced profitability and loss of market share. We actively compete with companies producing the same or similar products and, in some instances, with companies producing different products designed for the same uses. We encounter competition from both domestic and foreign sources in price, delivery, service, performance, product innovation and product recognition and quality, depending on the product involved. For some of our products, our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than we do. As a result, these competitors may be better able to withstand a change in conditions within the industries in which we operate, a change in the prices of raw materials or a change in the economy as a whole. Our competitors can be expected to continue to develop and introduce new and enhanced products and more efficient production capabilities, which could cause a decline in market acceptance of our products. Current and future consolidation among our competitors and customers also may cause a loss of market share as well as put downward pressure on pricing. Our competitors could cause a reduction in the prices for some of our products as a result of intensified price competition. Competitive pressures can also result in the loss of major customers. If we cannot compete successfully, our business, financial condition and profitability could be adversely affected.

Our lengthy sales cycle for the Specialty Chemicals Segment makes it difficult to predict quarterly revenue levels and operating results. Purchasing the products of the Specialty Chemicals Segment is a major commitment on the part of our customers. Before a potential customer determines to purchase products from the Specialty Chemicals Segment, the Company must produce test product material so that the potential customer is satisfied that we can manufacture a product to their specifications. The production of such test materials is a time-consuming process. Accordingly, the sales process for products in the Specialty Chemicals Segment is a lengthy process that requires a considerable investment of time and resources on our part. As a result, the timing of our revenues is difficult to predict, and the delay of an order could cause our quarterly revenues to fall below our expectations and those of the public market analysts and investors.

A significant portion of our sales results from competitive bidding, which is a long and unpredictable process. In both of our business segments, many of our sales efforts are based on competitive bidding situations with existing and potential customers in which we must fix a price early in the process. This is often a slow and lengthy process that requires us to spend considerable time and resources. Moreover, it is an unpredictable process and we are not always successful in our bidding. The unpredictability of the competitive bidding process makes it difficult to predict our quarterly revenues with any degree of certainty. In the event we do not accurately predict our costs on a project, we will not realize our profit expectations and may in fact incur a loss on that particular project. Many factors which are out of our control may adversely affect our profit on a project.

Our operations expose us to the risk of environmental, health and safety liabilities and obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental protection and health and safety laws governing, among other things:


•	the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, disposal and management of hazardous substances and wastes;


•	emissions or discharges of pollutants or other substances into the environment;


•	investigation and remediation of, and damages resulting from, releases of hazardous substances; and


•	the health and safety of our employees.

Under certain environmental laws, we can be held strictly liable for hazardous substance contamination of any real property we have ever owned, operated or used as a disposal site. We are also required to maintain various environmental permits and licenses, many of which require periodic modification and renewal. Our operations entail the risk of violations of those laws and regulations, and we cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in compliance with all of these requirements. In addition, these requirements and their enforcement may become more stringent in the future.

We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, additional capital expenditures in addition to ordinary costs to comply with applicable environmental laws, such as those governing air emissions and wastewater discharges. Our failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and permit requirements could result in civil and/or criminal fines or penalties, enforcement actions, and regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures such as the installation of

pollution control equipment, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We are currently, and may in the future be, required to investigate, remediate or otherwise address contamination at our current or former facilities. Many of our current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which additional investigation, remediation or other obligations could arise in the future and that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, we are currently and, could in the future be, responsible for costs to address contamination identified at any real property we used as a disposal site.

Although we cannot predict the ultimate cost of compliance with any of the requirements described above, the costs could be material. Non-compliance could subject us to material liabilities, such as government fines, third-party lawsuits or the suspension of non-compliant operations. We also may be required to make significant site or operational modifications at substantial cost. Future developments also could restrict or eliminate the use of or require us to make modifications to our products, which could have a significant negative impact on our results of operations and cash flows. At any given time, we are involved in claims, litigation, administrative proceedings and investigations of various types involving potential environmental liabilities, including cleanup costs associated with hazardous waste disposal sites at our facilities. We cannot assure you that the resolution of these environmental matters will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows. The ultimate costs and timing of environmental liabilities are difficult to predict. Liability under environmental laws relating to contaminated sites can be imposed retroactively and on a joint and several basis. We could incur significant costs, including cleanup costs, civil or criminal fines and sanctions and third-party claims, as a result of past or future violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws.

We could be subject to third party claims for property damage, personal injury, nuisance or otherwise as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental, health or safety laws in connection with releases of hazardous or other materials at any current or former facility. We could also be subject to environmental indemnification claims in connection with assets and businesses that we have acquired or divested.

There can be no assurance that any future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental laws, as well as costs to address contamination or environmental claims, will not exceed any current estimates or adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any unanticipated liabilities or obligations arising, for example, out of discovery of previously unknown conditions or changes in laws or regulations, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We are dependent upon the continued operation of our production facilities, which are subject to a number of hazards. In both of our business segments, but especially in the Specialty Chemicals Segment, our production facilities are subject to hazards associated with the manufacture, handling, storage and transportation of chemical materials and products, including leaks and ruptures, explosions, fires, inclement weather and natural disasters, unscheduled downtime and environmental hazards which could result in liability for workplace injuries and fatalities. In addition, some of our production capabilities are highly specialized, which limits our ability to shift production to another facility in the event of an incident at a particular facility. If a production facility, or a critical portion of a production facility, were temporarily shut down, we likely would incur higher costs for alternate sources of supply for our products. We cannot assure you that we will not experience these types of incidents in the future or that these incidents will not result in production delays, failure to timely fulfill customer orders or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Certain of our employees in the Metals Segment are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and the failure to renew these agreements could result in labor disruptions and increased labor costs. As of January 3, 2015, we had 162 employees represented by unions at our Bristol, Tennessee and Mineral Ridge, Ohio facilities, which is 35 percent of the aggregate number of Company employees. These employees are represented by two local unions affiliated with the United Steelworkers (the “Steelworkers Union") and one local union affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (the “Teamsters Union”). The collective bargaining contracts for the Steelworkers Unions will expire in June 2017 and July 2019. The collective bargaining contract for the Teamsters Union will expire in March 2015. The Company does not plan to renew the Teamsters Union agreement in 2015, which affects two employees. Although we believe that our present labor relations are satisfactory, our failure to renew these agreements on reasonable terms as the current agreements expire could result in labor disruptions and increased labor costs, which could adversely affect our financial performance.

Our current capital structure includes indebtedness, which is secured by all or substantially all of our assets and which contains restrictive covenants that may prevent us from obtaining adequate working capital, making acquisitions or capital improvements.

Our existing credit facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit our ability to, among other things, borrow money or guarantee the debts of others, use assets as security in other transactions, make investments or other restricted payments or distributions, change our business or enter into new lines of business, and sell or acquire assets or merge with or into other companies. In addition,

our credit facilities require us to meet financial ratios which could limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions or meet extraordinary capital needs and could otherwise restrict our financing activities. Our ability to comply with the covenants and other terms of our credit facilities will depend on our future operating performance. If we fail to comply with such covenants and terms, we will be in default and the maturity of any then outstanding related debt could be accelerated and become immediately due and payable. In addition, in the event of such a default, our lender may refuse to advance additional funds, demand immediate repayment of our outstanding indebtedness, and elect to foreclose on our assets that secure the credit facilities.

There were no events of default under the covenants of our credit facilities at January 3, 2015. Although we believe we will remain in compliance with these covenants in the foreseeable future and that our relationship with our lender is strong, there is no assurance our lender would consent to an amendment or waiver in the event of noncompliance; or that such consent would not be conditioned upon the receipt of a cash payment, revised principal payout terms, increased interest rates or restrictions in the expansion of the credit facilities for the foreseeable future, or that our lender would not exercise rights that would be available to them, including, among other things, demanding payment of outstanding borrowings. In addition, our ability to obtain additional capital or alternative borrowing arrangements at reasonable rates may be adversely affected. All or any of these adverse events would further limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, downturns in our business.

We may need new or additional financing in the future to expand our business or refinance existing indebtedness, and our inability to obtain capital on satisfactory terms or at all may have an adverse impact on our operations and our financial results. If we are unable to access capital on satisfactory terms and conditions, we may not be able to expand our business or meet our payment requirements under our existing credit facilities. Our ability to obtain new or additional financing will depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. We may not be able to obtain new or additional financing because we may have substantial debt or because we may not have sufficient cash flows to service or repay our existing or future debt. In addition, depending on market conditions and our financial performance, equity financing may not be available on satisfactory terms or at all. If we are unable to access capital on satisfactory terms and conditions, this could have an adverse impact on our operations and our financial results.

Our existing property and liability insurance coverages contain exclusions and limitations on coverage. We have maintained various forms of insurance, including insurance covering claims related to our properties and risks associated with our operations. From time-to-time, in connection with renewals of insurance, we have experienced additional exclusions and limitations on coverage, larger self-insured retentions and deductibles and higher premiums, primarily from the operations of the Specialty Chemicals Segment. As a result, our existing coverage may not be sufficient to cover any losses we may incur and in the future our insurance coverage may not cover claims to the extent that it has in the past and the costs that we incur to procure insurance may increase significantly, either of which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flows.

We may not be able to make the operational and product changes necessary to continue to be an effective competitor. We must continue to enhance our existing products and to develop and manufacture new products with improved capabilities in order to continue to be an effective competitor in our business markets. In addition, we must anticipate and respond to changes in industry standards that affect our products and the needs of our customers. We also must continue to make improvements in our productivity in order to maintain our competitive position. When we invest in new technologies, processes or production capabilities, we face risks related to construction delays, cost over-runs and unanticipated technical difficulties.

The success of any new or enhanced products will depend on a number of factors, such as technological innovations, increased manufacturing and material costs, customer acceptance, and the performance and quality of the new or enhanced products. As we introduce new products or refine existing products, we cannot predict the level of market acceptance or the amount of market share these new or enhanced products may achieve. Moreover, we may experience delays in the introduction of new or enhanced products. Any manufacturing delays or problems with new or enhanced product launches will adversely affect our operating results. In addition, the introduction of new products could result in a decrease in revenues from existing products. Also, we may need more capital for product development and enhancement than is available to us, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. We sell our products in industries that are affected by technological changes, new product introductions and changing industry standards. If we do not respond by developing new products or enhancing existing products on a timely basis, our products will become obsolete over time and our revenues, cash flows, profitability and competitive position will suffer.

In addition, if we fail to accurately predict future customer needs and preferences, we may invest heavily in the development of new or enhanced products that do not result in significant sales and revenue. Even if we successfully innovate in the development of new and enhanced products, we may incur substantial costs in doing so, and our profitability may suffer. Our products must be kept current to meet the needs of our customers. To remain competitive, we must develop new and innovative products on an on-going basis. If we fail to make innovations, or the market does not accept our new or enhanced products, our sales and results could suffer.

Our inability to anticipate and respond to changes in industry standards and the needs of our customers, or to utilize changing technologies in responding to those changes, could have a material adverse effect on our business and our results of operations.

Our strategy of using acquisitions and dispositions to position our businesses may not always be successful, which may have a material adverse impact on our financial results and profitability. We have historically utilized acquisitions and dispositions in an effort to strategically position our businesses and improve our ability to compete. We plan to continue to do this by seeking specialty niches, acquiring businesses complementary to existing strengths and continually evaluating the performance and strategic fit of our existing business units. We consider acquisition, joint ventures and other business combination opportunities as well as possible business unit dispositions. From time-to-time, management holds discussions with management of other companies to explore such opportunities. As a result, the relative makeup of the businesses comprising our Company is subject to change. Acquisitions, joint ventures and other business combinations involve various inherent risks, such as: assessing accurately the value, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition or other transaction candidates; the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business; significant transaction costs that were not identified during due diligence; our ability to achieve identified financial and operating synergies anticipated to result from an acquisition or other transaction; and unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting an acquisition or other transaction. If acquisition opportunities are not available or if one or more acquisitions are not successfully integrated into our operations, this could have a material adverse impact on our financial results and profitability.

The loss of key members of our management team, or difficulty attracting and retaining experienced technical personnel, could reduce our competitiveness and have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. The successful implementation of our strategies and handling of other issues integral to our future success will depend, in part, on our experienced management team. The loss of key members of our management team could have an adverse effect on our business. Although we have entered into an employment agreement with Craig C. Bram, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bram may resign from the Company at any time and seek employment elsewhere, subject to certain non-competition restrictions for a one-year period. Additionally, if we cannot retain our technical personnel or attract additional experienced technical personnel, our ability to compete could be harmed.

Federal, state and local legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing, as well as governmental reviews of such activities could result in delays or eliminate new wells from being started, thus reducing the demand for our fiberglass and steel storage tanks and heavy walled pipe and tube. Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is currently an essential and common practice to extract oil from dense subsurface rock formations and this lower cost extraction method is a significant driving force behind the surge of oil exploration and drilling in several locations in the United States. However, the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Congress and state legislatures have considered adopting legislation to provide additional regulations and disclosures surrounding this process. In the event that new legal restrictions surrounding the fracking process are adopted in the areas in which our customers operate, we may see a dramatic decrease in Palmer’s and Specialty - Texas' profitability which could have an adverse impact on our financial results.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected by goodwill impairments. As a result of our acquisitions, we had approximately $23.3 million of goodwill on our balance sheet as of January 3, 2015. Goodwill must be tested at least annually for impairment, and more frequently when circumstances indicate likely impairment. Goodwill is considered impaired to the extent that its carrying amount exceeds its implied fair value. An impairment of goodwill could have a substantial negative effect on our profitability.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected by intangible asset impairments. As a result of our acquisitions, we had approximately $17.0 million of intangible assets on our balance sheet as of January 3, 2015. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using an accelerated method or straight-line method. Intangibles are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the intangible asset or group of assets may no longer be recoverable. An impairment of intangible assets could have a substantial negative effect on our profitability.

Our allowance for doubtful accounts may not be adequate to cover actual losses. An allowance for doubtful accounts in maintained for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments and for disputed claims and quality issues. This allowance may not be adequate to cover actual losses, and future provisions for losses could materially and adversely affect our operating results. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on prior experience, as well as an evaluation of the outstanding receivables and existing economic conditions. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other outside forces and conditions, all of which are beyond our control, and these losses may exceed current estimates. Although management believes that the allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate to cover current estimated losses, we cannot make assurances that we will not further increase the allowance for doubtful accounts. A significant increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts could adversely affect our earnings.

We depend on third parties to distribute certain of our products and because we have no control over such third parties we are subject to adverse changes in such parties’ operations or interruptions of service, each of which may have an adverse effect on our operations. We use third parties over which we have only limited control to distribute certain of our products. Our dependency on these third party distributors has increased as our business has grown. Because we rely on these third parties to provide distribution services, any change in our ability to access these third party distribution services could have an adverse impact on our revenues and put us at a competitive disadvantage with our competitors.

Freight costs for products produced in our Palmer operations restrict our sales area for this facility. The freight and other distribution costs for products sold from our Palmer facility are extremely high. As a result, the market area for these products is restricted, which limits the geographic market for Palmer’s tanks and the ability to significantly increase revenues derived from sales of products from the Palmer facility.

New regulations related to “conflict minerals” may force us to incur additional expenses, may make our supply chain more complex and may result in damage to our reputation with customers. On August 22, 2012, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the SEC adopted new requirements for companies that use certain minerals and metals, known as conflict minerals, in their products, whether or not these products are manufactured by third parties. These regulations require companies to conduct annual due diligence and disclose whether or not such minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. Tungsten and tantalum are designated as conflict minerals under the Dodd-Frank Act. These metals are used to varying degrees in our welding materials and are also present in specialty alloy products. These new requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, availability and pricing of minerals used in our products. In addition, we could incur additional costs to comply with the disclosure requirements, including costs related to determining the source of any of the relevant minerals and metals used in our products. Since our supply chain is complex, we may not be able to sufficiently verify the origins for these minerals and metals used in our products through the due diligence procedures that we implement, which may harm our reputation. In such event, we may also face difficulties in satisfying customers who could require that all of the components of our products are conflict mineral-free.

Our inability to sufficiently or completely protect our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Our ability to compete effectively in both of our business segments will depend on our ability to maintain the proprietary nature of the intellectual property used in our businesses. These intellectual property rights consist largely of trade-secrets and know-how. We rely on a combination of trade secrets and non-disclosure and other contractual agreements and technical measures to protect our rights in our intellectual property. We also depend upon confidentiality agreements with our officers, directors, employees, consultants and subcontractors, as well as collaborative partners, to maintain the proprietary nature of our intellectual property. These measures may not afford us sufficient or complete protection, and others may independently develop intellectual property similar to ours, otherwise avoid our confidentiality agreements or produce technology that would adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Our internal controls over financial reporting could fail to prevent or detect misstatements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls or to timely effect any necessary improvement in our internal control and disclosure controls could, among other things, result in losses from fraud or error, harm our reputation or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

During 2014, a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting was identified relating to internal controls around business combinations. Management is taking steps to remediate this material weakness and performed additional analysis and procedures to conclude that the consolidated financial statements included in this 2014 Form 10-K fairly present, in all material respects, our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the year ended January 3, 2015. See "Management's Annual Report On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting".

Cyber security risks and cyber incidents could adversely affect our business and disrupt operations. Cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. These incidents can include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. The result of these incidents could include, but are not limited to, disrupted operations, misstated financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cyber security protection costs, litigation and reputational damage adversely affecting customer or investor confidence.

Loss of key supplier authorizations, lack of product availability, or changes in supplier distribution programs could adversely affect our sales and earnings. Our business depends on maintaining an immediately available supply of various products to meet

customer demand. Many of our relationships with key product suppliers are longstanding, but are terminable by either party. The loss of key supplier authorizations, or a substantial decrease in the availability of their products, could put us at a competitive disadvantage and have a material adverse effect on our business. Supply interruptions could arise from raw material shortages, inadequate manufacturing capacity or utilization to meet demand, financial problems, labor disputes or weather conditions affecting suppliers' production, transportation disruptions or other reasons beyond our control.

In addition, as a master distributor, we face the risk of key product suppliers changing their relationships with distributors generally, or Specialty in particular, in a manner that adversely impacts us. For example, key suppliers could change the following: the prices we must pay for their products relative to other distributors or relative to competing products; the geographic or product line breadth of distributor authorizations; supplier purchasing incentive or other support programs; or product purchase or stock expectations.

The purchasing incentives we earn from product suppliers can be impacted if we reduce our purchases in response to declining customer demand. Certain of our product and raw material suppliers have historically offered to their customers and distributors, including us, incentives for purchasing their products. In addition to market or customer account-specific incentives, certain suppliers pay incentives to the customer or distributor for attaining specific purchase volumes during the program period. In some cases, in order to earn incentives, we must achieve year-over-year growth in purchases with the supplier. When the demand for our products declines, we may be less willing to add inventory to take advantage of certain incentive programs, thereby potentially adversely impacting our profitability.

Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2 Properties

The Company operates the major plants and facilities listed below, all of which are in adequate condition for their current usage. All facilities throughout the Company are believed to be adequately insured. The buildings are of various types of construction including brick, steel, concrete, concrete block and sheet metal. All have adequate transportation facilities for both raw materials and finished products. The Company owns all of these plants and facilities, except the warehouse facilities located in Dalton, GA, a parcel of land in Mineral Ridge, OH and the corporate offices located in Spartanburg, SC and Glen Allen, VA.



Location	Principal Operations	Building Square Feet	Land Acres
Bristol, TN	Manufacturing stainless steel pipe	275,000	73.1
Fountain Inn, SC	Chemical manufacturing and warehousing facilities	136,834	16.9
Cleveland, TN	Chemical manufacturing and warehousing facilities	118,000	10.5
Andrews, TX	Manufacturing liquid storage solutions and separation equipment	109,432	19.6
Dalton, GA	Warehouse facilities ⁽¹⁾	32,000	2.0
Houston, TX	Cutting facility and storage yard for heavy walled pipe	29,821	10.0
Mineral Ridge, OH	Cutting facility and storage yard for heavy walled pipe	12,000	12.0
Mineral Ridge, OH	Storage yard for heavy walled pipe ⁽¹⁾	—	4.6
Spartanburg, SC	Corporate headquarters ⁽¹⁾	6,840	—
Glen Allen, VA	Office space for Corporate employees⁽¹⁾	2,869	—
Augusta, GA	Chemical manufacturing ⁽²⁾	—	46.0


(1)	Leased facility / land.


(2)	Plant was closed in 2001 and all structures and manufacturing equipment have been removed.

Item 3 Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Notes 5 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5 Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company had 567 common shareholders of record at March 4, 2015. The Company's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol SYNL. The Company's credit agreement only restricts the payment of dividends through a minimum tangible net worth covenant. The Company paid a $0.30 cash dividend on December 9, 2014, a $0.26 cash dividend on December 3, 2013, and a $0.25 cash dividend on December 10, 2012. The prices shown below are the high and low sales prices for the common stock for each full quarterly period in the last two fiscal years as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market.



	2014				2013
Quarter	High		Low		High		Low
1st	$	15.75	$	13.14	$	14.88	$	12.53
2nd	16.99		13.82		16.00		12.94
3rd	18.78		15.89		17.38		14.99
4th	18.84		14.67		16.75		13.80

The information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is set forth in Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

*$100 invested on 12/31/09 in stock on index, including reinvestment of dividends.

Fiscal year ending December 31.

Source: Russell Investment Group

Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return Graph



	12/09		12/10		12/11		12/12		12/13		12/14
Synalloy Corporation	$	100.00	$	136.23	$	118.30	$	167.88	$	183.08	$	213.84
Russell 2000	100.00		126.86		121.56		141.43		196.34		205.95
NASDAQ Non-Financial	100.00		117.19		119.01		139.36		196.05		227.38

This graph and related information shall not be deemed to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or “soliciting material” or subject to Regulation 14A, or the liabilities of Section 18 of the 1934 Act, except to the extent the Company specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the 1934 Act.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

Pursuant to the compensation arrangement with directors discussed under Item 12 "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters" in this Form 10-K, on April 24, 2014, the Company issued an aggregate of 7,088 shares of restricted stock to non-employee directors in lieu of $111,000 of their annual cash retainer fees. Issuance of these shares was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 based on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereof because no public offering was involved.

The Company also issued 7,434 shares of common stock in 2014 to management and key employees that vested pursuant to the 2005 Stock Awards Plan. Issuance of these shares was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 based on the exemption provided by Section 4(2) thereof because no public offering was involved.

Neither the Company, nor any affiliated purchaser (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) of the 1934 Act) on behalf of the Company repurchased any of the Company's securities during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Item 6 Selected Financial Data



Selected Financial Data and Other Financial Information
(Dollar amounts in thousands except for per share data)
	2014 ^(a)			2013			2012			2011			2010
Operations ^(b)
Net sales	$	199,505		$	196,751		$	166,162		$	139,083		$	111,193
Gross profit	32,929			19,798			19,733			14,306			7,014
Selling, general & administrative expense	16,589			16,034			12,409			10,581			7,941
Operating income (loss)	16,341			3,764			7,324			3,725			(927		)
Net income (loss) - continuing operations	12,619			2,898			3,983			2,488			(572		)
Net (loss) income - discontinued operations	(7,157		)	(1,137		)	252			3,310			4,606
Net income	5,462			1,761			4,235			5,797			4,034
Financial Position
Total assets	187,849			163,260			148,507			98,916			81,375
Working capital	64,580			74,988			65,919			56,344			43,232
Long-term debt, less current portion	27,255			20,905			37,593			8,650			219
Shareholders' equity	109,454			106,098			71,774			68,619			63,875
Financial Ratios
Current ratio	2.6:1			4.0:1			3.6:1			4.1:1			4.0:1
Gross profit to net sales ^(b)	17		%	10		%	12		%	10		%	6		%
Long-term debt to capital	20		%	16		%	34		%	11		%	0		%
Return on average assets ^(b)	7		%	2		%	3		%	3		%	0		%
Return on average equity ^(b)	12		%	3		%	6		%	4		%	0		%
Per Share Data (income/(loss) – diluted)
Net income (loss) - continuing operations ^(b)	$	1.45		$	0.42		$	0.62		$	0.39		$	(0.09	)
Net (loss) income - discontinued operations ^(b)	(0.82		)	(0.16		)	0.04			0.52			0.73
Net income	0.63			0.25			0.66			0.91			0.64
Dividends declared and paid	0.30			0.26			0.25			0.25			0.50
Book value	12.57			12.21			11.29			10.85			10.16
Other Data
Depreciation and amortization ^(b)	$	5,191		$	4,672		$	2,962		$	2,225		$	2,282
Capital expenditures ^(b)	8,066			5,648			4,542			3,162			2,191
Employees at year end	464			670			597			441			441
Shareholders of record at year end	575			619			669			687			704
Average shares outstanding - diluted	8,715			6,947			6,394			6,362			6,309
Stock Price
Price range of common stock
High	$	18.84		$	17.38		$	14.97		$	15.50		$	12.25
Low	13.14			12.53			10.21			9.15			7.47
Close	17.67			15.53			13.49			10.27			12.12

(a) 2014 represents a 53 week year.

(b) Information in the section or line has been re-stated to reflect continuing operations only.

Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintained allowances for doubtful accounts of approximately $1,115,000 as of January 3, 2015, for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments and for disputed claims and quality issues. The allowance is based upon a review of outstanding receivables, historical collection information and existing economic conditions. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Receivables are generally due within 30 to 60 days. Delinquent receivables are written off based on individual credit evaluations and specific circumstances of the customer.

Inventory Reserves

The Company establishes a reserve for estimated obsolete or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and current market conditions. Based on historical results, the Company also maintains an inventory reserve to provide for the amount of estimated inventory quantity loss since the last physical inventory. As of January 3, 2015, the Company has approximately $4,866,000 accrued for the various inventory reserves. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those estimated by management, additional inventory reserves may be required.

Environmental Reserves

As noted in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, the Company has accrued $576,000 as of January 3, 2015, in environmental remediation costs which, in management's best estimate, are sufficient to satisfy anticipated costs of known remediation requirements as explained in Note 5. Expenditures related to costs currently accrued are not discounted to their present values and are expected to be made over the next three to four years. However, as a result of the evolving nature of the environmental regulations, the difficulty in estimating the extent and necessary remediation of environmental contamination, and the availability and application of technology, the estimated costs for future environmental compliance and remediation are subject to uncertainties and it is not possible to predict the amount or timing of future costs of environmental matters which may subsequently be determined. Changes in information known to management or in applicable regulations may require the Company to record additional remediation reserves.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company continually reviews the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances, also referred to as "triggering events", indicate that the carrying value of a long-lived asset or group of assets (the "Assets") may no longer be recoverable. Triggering events include: a significant decline in the market price of the Assets; a significant adverse change in the operating use or physical condition of the Assets; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate impacting the Assets' value, including regulatory issues such as environmental actions; the generation by the Assets of historical cash flow losses combined with projected future cash flow losses; or the expectation that the Assets will be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of the useful life of the Assets. The Company concluded that there were no indications of impairment requiring further testing during the year ended January 3, 2015.

If the Company concluded that, based on its review of current facts and circumstances, there were indications of impairment, testing of the applicable Assets would be performed. The recoverability of the Assets to be held and used is tested by comparing the carrying amount of the Assets at the date of the test to the sum of the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by those Assets over the remaining useful life of the Assets. In estimating the future undiscounted cash flows, the Company uses projections of cash flows directly associated with, and which are expected to arise as a direct result of, the use and

eventual disposition of the Assets. This approach requires significant judgments including the Company's projected net cash flows, which are derived using the most recent available estimate for the reporting unit containing the Assets tested. Several key assumptions would include periods of operation, projections of product pricing, production levels, product costs, market supply and demand, and inflation. If it is determined that the carrying amount of the Assets are not recoverable, an impairment loss would be calculated equal to the excess of the carrying amount of the Assets over their fair value. Assets classified as held for sale, if any, would be recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Assets to be disposed of other than by sale, if any, would be classified as held and used until the Assets are disposed or use has ceased.

Business Combinations

Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Under this method, the total consideration transferred to consummate the acquisition is allocated to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as of the closing date of the acquisition. The acquisition method of accounting requires extensive use of estimates and judgments to allocate the consideration transferred to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets, if any, acquired and liabilities assumed.

Goodwill

The Company has goodwill of approximately $1,355,000 recorded as part of its 1996 acquisition of MC, operating within the Specialty Chemicals Segment, approximately $15,898,000 recorded as part of its 2012 acquisition of Palmer and approximately $5,997,000 recorded as part of its 2014 acquisition of Specialty, both operating within the Metals Segment. Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The initial step of the goodwill impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit in which the goodwill is recorded, with its carrying amount. If the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized and the second step, which is a calculation of the impairment, is not performed. However, if the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge equal to the difference in the carrying value of the goodwill and the implied fair value of the goodwill is recorded. Implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if it had been acquired in a business combination. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts allocated to assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill.

In making our determination of fair value of the reporting unit, we rely on the discounted cash flow method. This method uses projections of cash flows from the reporting unit. This approach requires significant judgments including the Company's projected net cash flows, the weighted average cost of capital ("WACC") used to discount the cash flows and terminal value assumptions. We derive these assumptions used in the testing from several sources. Many of these assumptions are derived from our internal budgets, which would include existing sales data based on current product lines and assumed production levels, manufacturing costs and product pricing. We believe that our internal forecasts are consistent with those that would be used by a potential buyer in valuing our reporting units.

The WACC rate is based on an average of the capital structure, cost of capital and inherent business risk profiles of the Company. The assumptions used in the valuation are interrelated. The continuing degree of interrelationship of these assumptions is, in and of itself, a significant assumption. Because of the interrelationships among the assumptions, we do not believe it would be meaningful to provide a sensitivity analysis on any of the individual assumptions. However, one key assumption in our valuation model is the WACC. If the WACC, which is used to discount the projected cash flows, were higher, the measure of the fair value of the net assets of the reporting unit would decrease. Conversely, if the WACC were lower, the measure of the fair value of the net assets of the reporting unit would increase. Changes in any of the Company's other estimates could also have a material effect on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the reporting unit's assets.

Based on the Company's goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2014, each reporting unit's fair value exceeded its carrying value, therefore no further testing was required and no impairment loss was recognized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash flows provided by continuing operating activities during 2014 and 2013 totaled $28,104,000 and $37,000 respectively, an improvement in cash flows of $28,067,000. Cash flows in 2014 were generated from net income from continuing operations totaling $12,619,000 after depreciation and amortization expense of $5,191,000 and the one-time gain on the Palmer earn-out liability of $3,476,000. Since the Company acquired Specialty on November 21, 2014, cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities cannot be determined simply by subtracting 2014 balance sheet amounts from 2013 values. The net value of all assets and liabilities acquired are shown in the "Acquisition of Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc." line in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Accordingly, these individual acquired balances represent

beginning balances for Specialty for cash flow purposes. Accounts payable favorably affected cash flows from continuing operations by $7,821,000 in 2014 as there were significant inventory purchases in the fourth quarter of 2014 in the Metals Segment which increased the 2014 year-end accounts payable balance combined with the Company experiencing an expansion in the number of accounts payable days outstanding. Accrued expenses generated $3,996,000 cash from continuing operations resulting from increases in the management incentive bonus, uncertain tax positions and current portion of the pension liability related to the closing of Bristol Fab. These increases were partially offset by lower customer advances at the end of 2014 when compared to the end of 2013.

Cash flows provided by continuing operating activities during 2013 totaled $37,000 while cash flows used in continuing operating activities during 2012 totaled $776,000, an increase in cash flows of $813,000. Cash flows in 2013 were generated from net income from continuing operations totaling $2,898,000 after depreciation and amortization expense of $4,672,000 and the one-time bargain purchase gain on the purchase of CRI Tolling of $1,077,000, net of deferred income taxes. Since the Company completed its acquisition of CRI on August 26, 2013, cash flows resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities cannot be determined simply by subtracting 2013 balance sheet amounts from 2012 values. All acquired CRI balances represent beginning balances for cash flow purposes. Cash flows were adversely affected by a $2,490,000 increase in net inventories in 2013. Substantially all of the increase occurred in the Metals Segment as special alloy inventory increased in support of the current special alloy backlog. Operating cash flows were unfavorably affected by lower accrued expenses at the end of 2013 compared to the end of 2012 of $2,316,000, as profit based incentives decreased $1,876,000 reflecting lower 2013 profits, the majority of the income and sales/use tax liability associated with the Palmer acquisition was used in 2013 and accrued interest decreased as the line of credit was paid off during the fourth quarter of 2013.

In 2014, the Company's current assets from continuing operations, which excludes assets and liabilities held for sale, increased $14,252,000 and current liabilities increased $17,429,000, from the year ended 2013 amounts, which caused working capital from continuing operations for 2014 to decrease by $3,177,000 to $64,580,000 from the 2013 total of $67,757,000. The current ratio for continuing operations for the year ended January 3, 2015, decreased to 2.6:1 from the 2013 year-end ratio of 3.9:1.

On November 21, 2014, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Davidson to purchase all of the issued and outstanding stock of Specialty. Established in 1964 with distribution centers in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas, Specialty is a master distributor of seamless carbon pipe and tube, with a focus on heavy wall, large diameter products. The Company views the Specialty acquisition as an excellent complement to the product offerings of the Metals Segment with similar end markets and consistent profit margins. Specialty's results of operations since the acquisition date are reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of operations, and the Specialty acquisition added approximately 30 employees at January 3, 2015.

The purchase price for the all-cash acquisition was approximately $31,500,000, subject to working capital adjustments post-closing. Davidson has the potential to receive earn-out payments up to a total of $5,000,000 if Specialty achieves targeted sales revenue over a two-year period following closing. The financial results for Specialty are reported as a part of the Company's Metals Segment.

The Company also used cash during 2014 for investing activities to fund capital expenditures of $8,066,000. Included in this amount is approximately $3,953,000 for the planned CRI expansion. Financing activities during 2014 generated $5,310,000 as a result of the additional borrowings associated with the Specialty acquisition partially offset by a fourth quarter 2014 dividend payment of $2,633,000.

In connection with the Palmer acquisition discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, on August 21, 2012, the Company modified its Credit Agreement with its regional bank to increase the limit of the credit facility by $5,000,000 to a maximum of $25,000,000, and extended the maturity date to August 21, 2015. On October 22, 2012, the Company modified this agreement to increase the limit by an additional $5,000,000 to a maximum of $30,000,000. This increase was in effect for one year and the maximum line of credit reverted back to $25,000,000 on October 22, 2013. None of the other provisions of the Credit Agreement were changed as a result of this modification. This Credit Agreement modification also provided for a ten-year term loan in the amount of $22,500,000 that requires equal monthly payments of $187,500 plus interest. In conjunction with this term loan, to mitigate the variability of the interest rate risk, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the "Palmer swap") on August 21, 2012 with its current bank. The Palmer swap is for an initial notional amount of $22,500,000 with a fixed interest rate of 3.74 percent, and runs for ten years, expiring on August 21, 2022, which equates to the date of the term loan. The notional amount of the Palmer swap decreases as monthly principal payments are made.

In connection with the CRI acquisition discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, on August 9, 2013, the Company modified the Credit Agreement to fund this transaction. The Credit Agreement modification provided for a new ten-year term loan in the amount of $4,033,000, with monthly principal payments customized to account for the 20 year amortization of the real estate assets combined with a 5-year amortization of the equipment assets purchased. In conjunction with the new term loan, to mitigate the variability of interest rate risk, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the "CRI swap") on September 3, 2013. The CRI swap is for an initial notional amount of $4,033,250 with a fixed

interest rate of 4.83% and runs for ten years to August 19, 2023, which equates to the due date of the term loan. The notional amount of the CRI swap decreases as monthly principal payments are made.

In connection with the Specialty acquisition on November 21, 2014 discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, the Credit Agreement was again modified to increase the limit of the credit facility to $40,000,000 and extend the maturity date to November 21, 2017. The Credit Agreement modification provided for a new five-year term loan of $10,000,000 that required equal monthly payments of $166,667 plus interest. Interest on the Credit Agreement is calculated using the One Month LIBOR (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus a pre-defined spread, based on the Company's Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Borrowings under the line of credit are limited to an amount equal to a borrowing base calculation that includes eligible accounts receivable, inventories and other non-capital assets.

Although the swap agreements obtained for the Palmer and CRI acquisitions are expected to effectively offset variable interest in the borrowings, hedge accounting will not be utilized. Therefore, changes in its fair value are being recorded in current assets or liabilities, as appropriate, with corresponding offsetting entries to other income (expense).

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company was required to pledge all of its tangible and intangible properties. Covenants under the Credit Agreement include maintaining a certain Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), a minimum tangible net worth, and total liabilities to tangible net worth ratio. The Company will also be limited to a maximum amount of capital expenditures per year, which is in line with the Company's currently projected needs. At January 3, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

Results of Operations

Comparison of 2014 to 2013 - Consolidated

For the fiscal year ending January 3, 2015, the Company generated net earnings from continuing operations of $12,619,000, or $1.45 per share, on sales from continuing operations of $199,505,000, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $2,898,000, or $0.42 per share, on sales from continuing operations of $196,751,000 in the prior year. The Company generated net earnings from continuing operations of $1,409,000, or $0.16 per share, on sales of $48,569,000 in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $1,097,000, or $0.13 loss per share, on sales from continuing operations of $46,402,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Consolidated gross profit from continuing operations increased 66 percent to $32,929,000 in 2014, compared to $19,798,000 in 2013, and, as a percent of sales, increased to 17 percent of sales in 2014 compared to ten percent of sales in 2013. For the fourth quarter of 2014, consolidated gross profit from continuing operations was $8,247,000, an increase of 198 percent from the fourth quarter of 2013 of $2,770,000. Consolidated gross profit from continuing operations was 17 percent of sales for the fourth quarter of 2014 and six percent of sales for same period of 2013. The increases in dollars and in percentage of sales were attributable to the Metals Segment as discussed in the Metals Segment Comparison of 2014 to 2013 below. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations for 2014 increased by $554,000 to $16,588,000 compared to $16,034,000 for 2013, and was eight percent of sales for both 2014 and 2013. These costs increased $303,000 during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013 and was nine percent of sales for both of the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013. The dollar increase for both the year and fourth quarter of 2014 when compared to the same periods of 2013 resulted primarily from higher incentive based bonuses and sales commissions partly offset by lower travel, professional fees and amortization expense. In addition, the Company incurred $302,000 for one-time acquisition costs associated with the Specialty acquisition in 2014 and $264,000 of one-time acquisition costs associated with the CRI acquisition in 2013. These costs were $305,000 and $61,000 for the fourth quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively. All of these items will be discussed in greater detail in the respective sections below.

Comparison of 2013 to 2012 - Consolidated

For the fiscal year ending December 28, 2013, the Company generated net earnings from continuing operations of $2,898,000, or $0.42 per share, on sales from continuing operations of $196,751,000, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $3,983,000, or $0.62 per share, on sales from continuing operations of $166,162,000 in the prior year. The Company generated a net loss from continuing operations of $1,097,000, or $0.13 loss per share, on sales from continuing operations of $46,402,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $868,000, or $0.14 per share, on sales from continuing operations of $45,791,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Consolidated gross profit from continuing operations for 2013 was $19,798,000 compared to $19,733,000 in 2012, and, as a percent of sales, decreased to ten percent of sales in 2013 compared to twelve percent of sales in 2012. For the fourth quarter of 2013, consolidated gross profit from continuing operations was $2,770,000, or six percent of sales, compared to a profit from continuing operations of $5,224,000, or eleven percent of sales, for the fourth quarter of 2012. The decreases in dollars and in

percentage of sales were attributable to the Metals Segment as discussed in the Metals Segment Comparison of 2013 to 2012 below. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense for 2013 increased by $3,625,000 to $16,034,000, compared to $12,409,000 for 2012, and was eight percent of sales for 2013 and 2012. For the fourth quarter, these costs increased by $734,000 to $4,177,000, or nine percent of sales, for 2013 compared to 3,443,000, or eight percent of sales, for 2012. Since Palmer was acquired in late-August of 2012, only a portion of their selling, general and administrative expenses were included in the prior year. This accounted for approximately $2,081,000 of the increased costs in 2013. The remainder of the increased costs for 2013 when compared to 2012 resulted from the receipt of the final installment of a dumping penalty in 2012, increased sales commissions, higher legal costs associated with the illegal dumping case initiated in 2013 and higher corporate travel and professional fees associated with the Palmer acquisition. These costs were partially offset by lower incentive-based bonus expense.

Metals Segment – The following table summarizes operating results from continuing operations and backlogs for the three years indicated. Reference should be made to Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.



	2014				2013				2012
(in thousands)	Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%
Net sales	$	134,304	100.0	%	$	140,233	100.0	%	$	114,788	100.0	%
Cost of goods sold	112,486		83.8	%	130,166		92.8	%	103,295		90.0	%
Gross profit	21,818		16.2	%	10,067		7.2	%	11,493		10.0	%
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,307		6.2	%	8,804		6.3	%	5,833		5.1	%
Operating income	$	13,511	10.1	%	$	1,263	0.9	%	$	5,660	4.9	%
Year-end backlog - Storage tanks	$	12,229			$	11,477			not available

Comparison of 2014 to 2013 – Metals Segment

The Metals Segment sales from continuing operations decreased four percent for 2014 as compared to 2013 and sales for the fourth quarter of 2014 totaled $32,212,000, an increase of two percent over 2013 results. The following factors resulted in the decreased sales in 2014. The Bechtel nuclear pipe project was completed early in the fourth quarter of 2013 combined with a shortfall in storage tank sales in 2014, mainly in the fourth quarter due to severe winter weather in West Texas which prevented the delivery and installation of several tank batteries. Also, there were fewer salt water disposal projects for our storage tank facility in 2014. Gross profit from continuing operations for 2014 increased 117 percent to $21,818,000, or 16 percent of sales, compared to 2013's year-end total of $10,067,000, or seven percent of sales. For the fourth quarter of 2014, gross profit from continuing operations was $5,620,000, or 17 percent of sales, compared to gross profit from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2013 of $181,000, or one percent of sales. The Segment experienced operating income from continuing operations of $13,511,000 and $2,511,000 for the year and fourth quarter of 2014, respectively, compared to operating income of $1,263,000 and an operating loss of $1,885,000, respectively, for same periods of 2013.

Operating income from continuing operations for the entire year and fourth quarter of 2014 when compared to the same periods of 2013 was impacted by the following six factors:


a)	The Company-wide cost cutting initiatives implemented in January 2014 had a favorable effect on profitability for 2014 with the average cost per pound produced decreasing seven percent.


b)	Six weeks of Specialty's operating income was included in the fourth quarter of 2014.


c)	As mentioned earlier, the severe winter weather in West Texas resulted in several lost shipping days, especially at year-end. The weather also slowed drill site development, causing several customers to delay their shipments.


d)	As mentioned above, BRISMET's product mix changed significantly in 2014. New sales pricing tools have allowed the sales department to focus on profitable sales quotes while decreasing emphasis on the lower margin business.


e)	Sales and operating income for 2013 were significantly affected by the low margin Bechtel nuclear project, which was completed in 2013. The facility successfully converted that effort to higher margin products in 2014.


f)	As a result of fluctuations in nickel prices, the Company experienced inventory losses of approximately $118,000 and $228,000 for the year and fourth quarter of 2014, respectively, compared to inventory losses of approximately $3,350,000 and $719,000, respectively, for the same periods of 2013.

Selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations decreased $497,000, or six percent in 2014 when compared to 2013. This expense category was six percent of sales for both periods. The decrease resulted from higher legal fees associated with the illegal dumping lawsuit in 2013, less travel and lower amortization expense partially offset by higher performance based bonus costs in 2014.

On November 21, 2014, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Davidson to purchase all of the issued and outstanding stock of Specialty. Established in 1964 with distribution centers in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas, Specialty is a master distributor of seamless carbon pipe and tube, with a focus on heavy wall, large diameter products. The purchase price for the all-cash acquisition was $31,500,000, subject to working capital adjustments post-closing. Davidson has the potential to receive earn-out payments up to a total of $5,000,000 if Specialty achieves targeted sales revenue over a two-year period following closing. The purchase price for the acquisition was funded through a combination of cash on hand, a new term loan with the Company's bank and an increase to the Company's current credit facility. The financial results for Specialty are reported as a part of the Company's Metals Segment.

On August 29, 2014, the Company completed the sale of all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ram-Fab to a subsidiary of Primoris Services Corporation. The transaction was valued at less than $10 million, which consideration included cash at closing, Synalloy's ability to receive potential future earn-out payment(s) and the retention of specified Ram-Fab current assets. The Company realized a one-time charge in the third quarter of 2014 of $1,996,000 for costs associated with the closure plus a $947,000 charge to write off the Company's investment in Ram-Fab. These charges, along with all non-recurring expenses associated with Ram-Fab are included in the respective consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations. Ram-Fab was reported as a part of the Metals Segment.

On June 27, 2014, the Company completed the planned closure of Bristol Fab. Bristol Fab's collective bargaining agreement with the Union expired on February 15, 2014. After lengthy negotiations with the Union, Bristol Fab was unable to reach an agreement. Also, upon closure of the operation, the Company was legally obligated to pay a withdrawal liability to the Union's pension fund of over $1.9 million. The Company realized a one-time charge in the second quarter of 2014 of $6,988,000 for costs associated with the closure of Bristol Fab. These costs, along with all non-recurring expenses associated with Bristol Fab, are included in the respective consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations.

Comparison of 2013 to 2012 – Metals Segment

Sales from continuing operations for 2013 were $140,233,000, up 22 percent from last year's results of $114,788,000. The Metals Segment experienced operating income from continuing operations of $1,263,000 for 2013 compared to $5,660,000 for 2012. Excluding Palmer's sales results, sales from continuing operations for the Metals Segment for 2013 would have been five percent higher than the same period of 2012. Sales from continuing operations during the fourth quarter of 2013 totaled $31,514,000, a decrease of four percent from $32,704,000 for the same quarter last year. The Metals Segment had an operating loss from continuing operations of $1,885,000 for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to operating income of $1,608,000 for the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company purchased 100 percent of the issued and outstanding stock of Palmer on August 21, 2012. Excluding Palmer's sales results, sales for the fourth quarter 2013 would have been three percent lower than the prior year. Shipments of carbon steel pipe associated with the Bechtel nuclear project dropped significantly in the fourth quarter of 2013 as the project was completed. Shipments of stainless steel pipe in the fourth quarter of 2013 continued to be constrained as distributors are maintaining lean inventory levels going into 2014. Special alloy inquiries, bookings and backlog remained strong in the fourth quarter of 2013 and we have seen increased shipments in January.

Operating income from continuing operations, which decreased $4,397,000 and $3,493,000 for the entire year and fourth quarter of 2013, respectively, when compared to the same periods of 2012, was impacted by the following factors:

Palmer was acquired August 21, 2012. Its fourth quarter and full year results were included in the 2013 Metals Segment results while only 19 weeks of Palmer's results were included in the prior year. Fourth quarter 2013 operating income was adversely affected by a more prevalent holiday shutdown in 2013. There were approximately $700,000 of finished tanks that could not be shipped to the customers' work sites in December 2013. The unit also incurred warranty repairs of approximately $200,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. Additionally, fourth quarter 2013 sales and profitability were affected by a less favorable product mix as smaller fiberglass and steel tanks were produced. The facility was nearing emission limits for the fiberglass shop which resulted in the production of smaller, lower priced, and less profitable tanks.


b)	Associated with the acquisition of Palmer, an intangible asset of $9,000,000 was recorded for the customer base acquired by the Company. This asset is amortized on an accelerated basis which resulted in an amortization charge of $1,530,000 for the entire year and $382,000 for the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to $540,000 of amortization for both the entire year and fourth quarter of 2012.

Pricing and margins at BRISMET during the first nine months of the year were negatively impacted by foreign imports. Stainless steel pipe imports from Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand entered the country at significantly reduced prices. This factor forced BRISMET to reduce prices accordingly to retain market share. On May 16, 2013, BRISMET, along with several other domestic manufacturers of stainless steel pipe, filed an antidumping petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce ("Commerce") and the U.S. International Trade Commission ("USITC") alleging that

welded stainless steel pipe imported from Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand was being dumped in the United States market. On June 28, 2013, the USITC determined there was a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry was materially injured by reason of imports from these three countries. All six commissioners of the USITC hearing the petition voted in favor of the petitioners in the affirmative.

On December 31, 2013, Commerce announced its affirmative preliminary determinations. Commerce determined that welded stainless pressure pipe from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam has been sold in the United States at dumped margins and will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to require cash deposits based on the preliminary rates calculated from the date of the preliminary ruling forward. In the case of Malaysia, they also imposed the effective date of the preliminary rates to be 90 days prior to the publication of the determination in the Federal Register. Price increases were implemented by several domestic producers in late August and early September of 2013.

Profits at BRISMET were negatively impacted for the fourth quarter of 2013 by significant third party contract services associated with the Bechtel project, and an unfavorable sales mix which was heavily weighted toward less than six-inch diameter pipe that has very low to negative gross margins. Labor costs were also above targeted levels for the quarter as we were slow to bring staffing back to pre-Bechtel levels.


e)	Relatively stable nickel prices during the last half of 2013 resulted in lower inventory losses in 2013. For 2013 and 2012, inventory losses were approximately $3,103,000 and $4,645,000, respectively. For the fourth quarter of 2013, inventory losses were approximately $581,000 compared to an inventory loss of approximately $1,150,000 in the fourth quarter of 2012.


f)	Throughout the Metals Segment, production manpower was higher than optimal operating levels. In late December and early January 2014, personnel reductions were implemented across all three business units.

Selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations increased $2,958,000, or 51 percent in 2013 when compared to 2012. This expense category was six percent of sales for 2013 compared to five percent of sales for 2012. The increase mainly resulted from the inclusion of Palmer expenses for the entire year of 2013 compared to a portion of 2012, receiving the final installment of a dumping penalty in 2012 and higher legal costs associated with the illegal dumping case initiated in 2013 partially offset by lower incentive-based bonus expense.

Specialty Chemicals Segment – The following tables summarize operating results for the three years indicated. Reference should be made to Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.



	2014				2013				2012
(Amounts in thousands)	Amount		%		Amount		%		Amount		%
Net sales	$	65,201	100.0	%	$	56,518	100.0	%	$	51,374	100.0	%
Cost of goods sold	54,089		83.0	%	46,786		82.8	%	43,134		84.0	%
Gross profit	11,112		17.0	%	9,732		17.2	%	8,240		16.0	%
Selling, general and administrative expense	4,982		7.6	%	3,989		7.1	%	3,397		6.6	%
Operating income	$	6,130	9.4	%	$	5,743	10.1	%	$	4,843	9.4	%

Comparison of 2014 to 2013 – Specialty Chemicals Segment

Sales for the Specialty Chemicals Segment increased 15 percent for 2014, ending the year at $65,201,000 compared to $56,518,000 in 2013. Pounds shipped for the year were 25 percent higher than the prior year. For the fourth quarter of 2014, sales were $16,357,000, up ten percent from 2013's fourth quarter sales of $14,888,000. Pounds shipped for the fourth quarter were ten percent higher than the same period of the prior year. The fourth quarter and annual sales increases resulted mainly from the addition of new customers at both facilities, but especially at CRI Tolling. Overall selling prices decreased eight percent and four percent for the year and fourth quarter of 2014 when compared to the same periods of the prior year due to lower cost raw material that is reflected in the selling prices at MC and generally lower average selling prices at CRI Tolling resulting from a higher concentration of customer supplied raw materials. Gross profit for the year was $11,112,000, up 14 percent from the prior year amount of $9,732,000. As a percent of sales, 2014 and 2013 gross profit were both 17 percent of sales. The fourth quarter showed gross profit of $2,627,000, or 16 percent of sales, and $2,588,000, or 17 percent of sales, for 2014 and 2013, respectively. Gross profit increased for the year and fourth quarter as a result of higher sales levels in 2014 plus the inclusion of CRI Tolling for the entire year of 2014. Operating income for the year increased seven percent from the prior year. Operating income for 2014 was $6,130,000, or nine percent of sales, while 2013 recorded $5,743,000, or ten percent of sales. The segment showed operating income of $1,358,000,

or eight percent of sales, for the fourth quarter of 2014. The fourth quarter of 2013 reported operating income of $1,277,000, or nine percent of sales.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $993,000 or 25 percent in 2014 when compared to 2013, and increased to eight percent of sales in 2014 compared to seven percent in 2013. For the fourth quarter, selling, general and administrative expense was $1,269,000 in 2014, a decrease of $42,000 when compared to the same period of 2013. The increase for the year was due to higher sales commissions combined with including CRI costs for the entire year of 2014 compared to four months of the prior year. These increased costs for the year were partially offset by lower incentive based bonuses. The decrease for the fourth quarter was entirely due to lower incentive based bonuses in 2014.

Comparison of 2013 to 2012 – Specialty Chemicals Segment

Specialty Chemicals Segment sales for the entire year of 2013 were $56,518,000, up $5,144,000 or ten percent from $51,374,000 for 2012. Gross profit for 2013 for the Specialty Chemicals Segment was $9,732,000, or 17 percent of sales, compared to $8,240,000, or 16 percent of sales, for 2012, an increase of 18 percent. The additional Ashland defoamer sales which began in the third quarter of 2012 contributed to the increase in gross profit for the Segment. For the fourth quarter of 2013, Specialty Chemicals Segment's sales were $14,888,000, which represented a 14 percent increase from $13,087,000 for the same quarter of 2012. Overall selling prices decreased 16 percent in the fourth quarter when compared to 2012 due in part to a significant increase in usage of a lower cost raw material that is reflected in the selling price at MC and generally lower average selling prices at CRI Tolling. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2013 and 2012 was $2,588,000, or 17 percent of sales, and $2,049,000, or 16 percent of sales, respectively, an increase of 26 percent. CRI Tolling had a positive impact on profitability during its first quarter under Company ownership. The Specialty Chemicals Segment continues to focus on changing the product mix to higher priced / higher margin products and controlling operating and support costs. At CRI Tolling, streamlining processes and improving production capabilities will be a major focus.

On August 26, 2013, CRI Tolling completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets and assumed certain operating liabilities of CRI. Located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, CRI Tolling will continue CRI's business as that of a toll manufacturer that provides outside manufacturing resources to global and regional chemical companies. The assets purchased from CRI included equipment and certain other assets and approximately $387,000 worth of inventory and accounts receivables, net of assumed payables. The total purchase price was $1,100,000. The Company acquired the building and land where CRI operates in a separate but related transaction on August 9, 2013 for approximately $3,500,000. The Company viewed both the building and operating assets of CRI together as one business, capable of providing a return to ownership by expanding the segment's production capacity. Accordingly, the acquisition meets the definition of a business and the transaction is structured in a way that meets the definition of a business combination under GAAP.

Due to severe financial difficulties CRI was experiencing prior to our acquisition, the Company was able to purchase the land, building and equipment at below market value. As a result of the favorable purchase price, the Company recorded a bargain purchase gain on this transaction in the third quarter of 2013 of $1,077,000, net of deferred taxes. The Company funded the acquisition of CRI through a new term loan with the Company's bank, plus an increase in its line of credit.

Selling, general and administrative expense increased $592,000 or 17 percent in 2013 when compared to 2012. These costs were seven percent of sales for both 2013 and 2012. The increase was due to higher sales commissions and incentive-based bonuses in 2013.

Unallocated Income and Expense

Reference should be made to Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for the schedule that includes these items.

Comparison of 2014 to 2013 – Corporate

Corporate expenses for 2014 were $3,292,000, or two percent of sales from continuing operations, compared to $3,243,000, or two percent of sales from continuing operations for 2013. This represents an increase of $49,000 or two percent. Higher incentive based bonuses for 2014 were partially offset by lower travel and shelf registrations costs.

Acquisition costs for 2014 and 2013 relate to the accumulation of one-time expenses associated with the acquisition of Specialty and CRI, respectively.

Interest expense decreased to $1,092,000 for 2014 compared to $1,357,000 for 2013. The lower expense levels for 2014 resulted from the Company paying off the outstanding balance of its line of credit in October 2013 with a portion of the proceeds from the September 30, 2013 public stock offering. Also, the continued low interest rate environment resulted in the fair value of both

SWAP agreements to decrease during 2014, resulting in additional expense of $426,000 in 2014. This category was $741,000 favorable for 2013.

The actual second year EBITDA for Palmer fell below the minimum target level defined in their SPA and no earn-out was paid in 2014. For the third year of the program, management does expect Palmer to achieve the minimum EBITDA levels and the first tier of earn-out is expected to be paid out in 2015. Accordingly, a one-time favorable adjustment to the Palmer earn-out accrual was made during 2014 for $3,476,000.

Comparison of 2013 to 2012 – Corporate

Corporate expenses were $3,243,000, or two percent of sales from continuing operations and $3,165,000, or two percent of sales from continuing operations, for 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additional costs were incurred in 2013 as the Company strengthened its IT support team (wages and travel), improved its reporting software functionality, incurred legal and travel costs associated with its follow-on stock offering, recorded additional stock option compensation expense and increased recurring professional fees associated with the Palmer and CRI acquisitions. These increases were substantially offset by lower incentive-based bonus expense in 2013.

Acquisition related costs during 2013 reflect the accumulation of one-time expenses associated with the acquisition of CRI. For 2012, this category reflects one-time costs associated with our Palmer acquisition.

Interest expense 2013 was $1,357,000 compared to $601,000 for 2012, an increase of $756,000. Higher interest expense for the year resulted from the additional borrowings associated with the purchase of CRI in August 2013 and Palmer in August 2012. Interest expense decreased during the fourth quarter of 2013 as the Company paid off the outstanding balance of the line of credit.

Also, as mentioned in the Specialty Chemicals Segment discussion for 2013, the acquisition of CRI resulted in a gain on bargain purchase of $1,077,000, net of deferred income taxes.

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

As of January 3, 2015, the Company's contractual obligations and other commitments were as follows:



(Amounts in thousands)			Payment Obligations for the Year Ended
	Total		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter
Obligations:
Revolving credit facility	$	885	$	—	$	—	$	885	$	—	$	—	$	—
Term loans	30,905		4,701		4,534		4,534		4,497		4,258		8,381
Interest payments	4,061		965		816		677		538		404		661
Contingent consideration	7,500		4,750		2,750		—		—		—		—
Operating leases	913		449		241		182		26		15		—
Deferred compensation ⁽¹⁾	353		51		51		51		21		21		158
Total	$	44,617	$	10,916	$	8,392	$	6,329	$	5,082	$	4,698	$	9,200


⁽¹⁾	For a description of the deferred compensation obligation, see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Current Conditions and Outlook

During 2014, Synalloy acquired a stable, profitable company and sold / closed two underperforming subsidiaries. Management believes these changes leave the overall Company stronger for future growth and sustained profitability.

The Metals Segment's business continues to be highly dependent on its customers' capital expenditures. Special project and overall backlog is strong at BRISMET, with many large diameter and special alloy projects in the pipeline. International inquiries, which are comprised mainly of special alloy products, are on the rise. Nickel prices, which result in stainless steel surcharges, peaked during mid-May, with an increase of approximately 50% since the end of 2013. Since that time, nickel prices have fallen significantly from the high with nickel decreasing 14% during the fourth quarter. For the entire year of 2014 nickel increased 6% and has remained relatively flat through February 6, 2015. If an Indonesian ban on ore exports remains in place, nickel prices have room to increase from their current levels. Our inventory gains and losses are determined by a number of factors including sales mix and the holding period of particular products. As a consequence, there may not be a direct correlation between the direction of stainless steel surcharges and inventory profits or losses at a particular point in time. Our experience has been that over the course of a business cycle, this volatility has tended towards zero.

We believe we are the largest and most capable domestic producer of non-commodity stainless steel pipe and an effective producer of commodity stainless steel pipe. Our market position remains strong in the commodity pipe market and we continue to see strong order activity in special alloys. Gulf coast activity remains vigorous for chemical, petro-chem, fertilizer and plastic end-user applications. Should oil prices remain or fall below their current levels, management anticipates that sales for storage tanks and carbon pipe will be affected beginning in the second quarter of 2015. Palmer and Specialty introduced new product lines in 2014 which will help to mitigate any declining sales in existing product lines.

The storage tank backlog was $12,229,000 at January 3, 2015 and $11,477,000 at December 28, 2013.

Specialty Chemicals Segment's sales and profitability should continue to show improvement for the entire year of 2015 as CRI Tolling ramps up production to support the BioBased Technologies' agreement that was announced earlier this year. Production began in mid-January 2015 and should ramp up quickly during the remainder of the first quarter of 2015. This production utilizes the new reaction area that the Company added during 2014. In addition, both units aggressively pursue new business opportunities, evaluate product pricing, increase growth to direct customers and identify new sales opportunities for product offerings that have available production capacity. The Specialty Chemicals Segment's project pipeline is heavily weighted with oil and gas opportunities and since the Company is a relatively new supplier to the oil and gas chemical segment, management believes this area will still show strong improvement in 2015, even with lower oil prices. Management expects operating margins to hold steady at current levels.

Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks

The Company is exposed to market risks from adverse changes in interest rates. Changes in United States interest rates affect the interest earned on the Company's cash and cash equivalents as well as interest paid on its indebtedness. Except as described below, the Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does it hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of its borrowing activities used to maintain liquidity and fund business operations.

Fair value of the Company's debt obligations, which approximated the recorded value, consisted of:

At January 3, 2015


•	$885,000 under a $40,000,000 revolving line of credit expiring on November 21, 2017 with a variable interest rate of 1.77 percent.


•	$17,250,000 under a term loan expiring August 21, 2022 with a variable interest rate of 2.42 percent.


•	An interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $17,250,000 which fixes the term loan interest rate at 3.74 percent. The fair value of the interest rate swap contract was an asset to the Company of $11,000.


•	$3,654,000 under a term loan expiring August 19, 2023 with a variable interest rate of 2.16 percent.


•	An interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $3,654,000 which fixes the term loan interest rate at 4.83 percent. The fair value of this interest rate swap contract was a liability to the Company of $215,000.


•	$10,000,000 under a term loan expiring November 21, 2019 with a variable interest rate of 2.07 percent.

At December 28, 2013


•	$19,500,000 under a term loan expiring August 21, 2022 with a variable interest rate of 2.41 percent.


•	An interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $19,500,000 which fixes the term loan interest rate at 3.74 percent. The fair value of the interest rate swap contract was an asset to the Company of $301,000.


•	$3,939,000 under a term loan expiring August 19, 2023 with a variable interest rate of 2.17 percent.


•	An interest rate swap contract with a notional amount of $3,939,000 which fixes the term loan interest rate at 4.83 percent. The fair value of this interest rate swap contract was a liability to the Company of $80,000.

Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The Company's consolidated financial statements, related notes, report of management and report of the independent registered public accounting firm follow on subsequent pages of this report.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013



	2014		2013
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	26,623	$	1,773,743
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,114,814 and $1,079,288 respectively	29,229,927		29,923,485
Inventories, net
Raw materials	38,405,587		16,557,350
Work-in-process	7,128,602		16,041,141
Finished goods	22,140,481		18,897,421
Total inventories	67,674,670		51,495,912
Deferred income taxes	2,921,654		3,776,647
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,460,344		4,091,489
Current assets held for sale	—		8,550,076
Total current assets	105,313,218		99,611,352

Cash value of life insurance	2,046,512		2,007,419
Property, plant and equipment, net	39,937,466		32,665,281
Goodwill	23,250,201		17,252,678
Intangible assets, net	17,001,525		6,930,000
Deferred charges, net and other non-current assets	300,308		575,546
Assets held for sale	—		4,218,095

Total assets	$	187,849,230	$	163,260,371

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	21,388,298	$	11,440,573
Accrued expenses	14,684,686		9,182,369
Current portion of long-term debt	4,533,908		2,533,908
Current portion of environmental reserves	126,000		147,500
Current liabilities held for sale	—		1,318,876
Total current liabilities	40,732,892		24,623,226

Long-term debt, less current portion	27,255,442		20,904,708
Long-term environmental reserves	450,000		478,500
Long-term deferred compensation	209,500		219,794
Long-term contingent consideration	2,596,516		3,362,031
Deferred income taxes	6,438,146		7,573,999
Long-term pension liability from the closure of Bristol Fab	713,181		—

Shareholders' equity
Common stock, par value $1 per share - authorized 12,000,000 shares; issued 10,300,000 shares	10,300,000		10,300,000
Capital in excess of par value	34,054,374		33,657,714
Retained earnings	79,167,323		76,337,597
	123,521,697		120,295,311
Less cost of common stock in treasury: 1,589,698 and 1,612,200 shares, respectively	14,068,144		14,197,198
Total shareholders' equity	109,453,553		106,098,113
Commitments and contingencies – See Note 11

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	187,849,230	$	163,260,371

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012



	2014			2013			2012
Net sales	$	199,504,628		$	196,751,175		$	166,162,142

Cost of sales	166,575,146			176,953,036			146,429,581

Gross profit	32,929,482			19,798,139			19,732,561

Selling, general and administrative expense	16,588,684			16,034,428			12,408,581
Operating income	16,340,798			3,763,711			7,323,980
Other (income) and expense
Interest expense	1,091,694			1,357,328			600,893
Acquisition related costs	301,715			264,186			880,583
Change in fair value of interest rate swap	425,543			(740,832		)	113,648
Palmer earn-out adjustment	(3,476,197		)	—			—
Gain on bargain purchase, net of taxes	—			(1,077,332		)	—
Other, net	(6,744		)	(147,687		)	(148,028		)
Income before income taxes	18,004,787			4,108,048			5,876,884
Provision for income taxes	5,386,000			1,210,000			1,894,000

Net income from continuing operations	12,618,787			2,898,048			3,982,884

Net (loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(7,156,524		)	(1,137,484		)	252,028

Net income	$	5,462,263		$	1,760,564		$	4,234,912

Net income per common share from continuing operations:
Basic	$	1.45		$	0.42		$	0.63
Diluted	$	1.45		$	0.42		$	0.62


Net (loss) income per diluted common share from discontinued operations:
Basic	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.16	)	$	0.04
Diluted	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.16	)	$	0.04

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity



	Common Stock		Capital in Excess of Par Value			Retained Earnings			Cost of Common Stock in Treasury			Total
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	8,000,000	$	1,153,889		$	74,198,151		$	(14,733,139	)	$	68,618,901

Net income	—		—			4,234,912			—			4,234,912
Payment of dividends, $0.25 per share	—		—			(1,596,302		)	—			(1,596,302		)
Issuance of 19,089 shares of common stock from the treasury	—		(113,071		)	—			167,990			54,919
Stock options exercised for 11,800 shares, net	—		20,044			—			103,844			123,888
Employee stock option and grant compensation	—		337,750			—			—			337,750
Balance at December 29, 2012	8,000,000		1,398,612			76,836,761			(14,461,305		)	71,774,068

Net income	—		—			1,760,564			—			1,760,564
Payment of dividends, $0.26 per share	—		—			(2,259,728		)	—			(2,259,728		)
Issuance of 17,572 shares of common stock from the treasury	—		(33,545		)	—			154,741			121,196
Stock options exercised for 13,495 shares, net	—		28,660			—			109,366			138,026
Employee stock option and grant compensation	—		331,362			—			—			331,362
Issuance of 2,300,000 shares of common stock	2,300,000		31,932,625			—			—			34,232,625
Balance at December 28, 2013	10,300,000		33,657,714			76,337,597			(14,197,198		)	106,098,113

Net income	—		—			5,462,263			—			5,462,263
Payment of dividends, $0.30 per share	—		—			(2,632,537		)	—			(2,632,537		)
Issuance of 14,522 shares of common stock from the treasury	—		(8,341		)	—			127,881			119,540
Stock options exercised for 7,980 shares, net	—		40,844			—			1,173			42,017
Employee stock option and grant compensation	—		364,157			—			—			364,157
Balance at January 3, 2015	$	10,300,000	$	34,054,374		$	79,167,323		$	(14,068,144	)	$	109,453,553

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012



	2014			2013			2012
Operating activities
Net income	$	5,462,263		$	1,760,564		$	4,234,912
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax	7,156,524			1,137,484			(252,028		)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation expense	3,724,757			3,074,369			2,394,298
Amortization expense	1,466,395			1,597,578			567,693
Deferred income taxes	796,916			(1,325,781		)	164,774
Bargain gain on acquisition of CRI, net of taxes	—			(1,077,332		)	—
Palmer earn-out adjustment	(3,476,197		)	—			—
Provision for (reduction of) losses on accounts receivable	72,100			(229,230		)	105,918
Provision for losses on inventories	2,548,196			169,810			463,824
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment	26,800			8,044			(107,970		)
Cash value of life insurance	(39,093		)	(161,530		)	(190,996		)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap	425,543			(740,832		)	113,648
Environmental reserves	(50,000		)	(14,000		)	—
Issuance of treasury stock for director fees	110,501			127,989			99,995
Employee stock option and grant compensation	364,157			331,362			337,750
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	3,448,709			642,125			(894,385		)
Inventories	(3,298,982		)	(2,659,949		)	(2,615,218		)
Other assets and liabilities, net	(1,164,297		)	(303,959		)	(1,661,047		)
Accounts payable	7,820,957			879,632			(3,971,870		)
Accrued expenses	3,995,534			(2,316,263		)	1,189,805
Accrued income taxes	(1,287,007		)	(863,495		)	(754,713		)
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities	28,103,776			36,586			(775,610		)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operating activities	785,249			(5,578,384		)	2,410,473
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	28,889,025			(5,541,798		)	1,634,863
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(8,065,992		)	(5,648,290		)	(4,542,150		)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	8,000			136,297			148,500
Acquisition of Palmer	—			—			(27,895,209		)
Cash received from Palmer acquisition	—			—			1,389,054
Acquisition of CRI	—			(4,527,762		)	—
Acquisition of Specialty	(31,490,433		)	—			—
Cash received from Specialty acquisition	12,960			—			—
Proceeds from life insurance settlement	—			703,331			734,206
Net cash used in continuing investing activities	(39,535,465		)	(9,336,424		)	(30,165,599		)
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities	3,589,064			(115,472		)	(192,228		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(35,946,401		)	(9,451,896		)	(30,357,827		)
Financing activities
Net borrowings from (payments on) line of credit	884,637			(18,060,894		)	9,410,463
Borrowings from long-term debt	10,000,000			4,033,250			22,500,000
Payments on long-term debt	(2,533,903		)	(2,401,103		)	(759,962		)
Payments on pension liability from the closure of Bristol Fab	(449,958		)	—			—
Proceeds from notes receivable	—			—			20,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock	—			34,232,625			—
Proceeds from exercised stock options	42,017			138,026			123,888
Dividends paid	(2,632,537		)	(2,259,728		)	(1,596,302		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,310,256			15,682,176			29,698,087
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,747,120		)	688,482			975,123
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,773,743			1,085,261			110,138
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	26,623		$	1,773,743		$	1,085,261

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Synalloy Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945. Its charter is perpetual. The name was changed on July 31, 1967 from Blackman Uhler Industries, Inc. On June 3, 1988, the state of incorporation was changed from South Carolina to Delaware. The Company's executive offices are located at 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 102, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29301 and 4301 Dominion Boulevard, Suite 130, Glen Allen, Virginia 23060.

The Company's business is divided into two segments, the Metals Segment and the Specialty Chemicals Segment. The Metals Segment operates as BRISMET, Bristol Fab, Ram-Fab, Palmer and Specialty. BRISMET manufactures pipe, Bristol Fab fabricates piping systems from stainless and carbon steel and other alloys, Ram-Fab fabricates piping systems from chrome, stainless and carbon steel and other alloys, Palmer manufactures liquid storage solutions and separation equipment and Specialty is a master distributor of seamless carbon pipe and tube. The Specialty Chemicals Segment operates as Manufacturers Chemicals and CRI Tolling and produces specialty chemicals. Bristol Fab and Ram-Fab were sold or closed during 2014. See Note 17.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. The Metals Segment is comprised of three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Synalloy Metals, Inc. which owns 100 percent of Bristol Metals, LLC, located in Bristol, Tennessee; Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc., located in Andrews, Texas and Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc., located in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas. The Specialty Chemicals Segment consists of two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company which owns 100 percent of Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC, located in Cleveland, Tennessee and CRI Tolling, LLC, located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Accounting Period

The Company's fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending the Saturday nearest to December 31. Fiscal year 2014 ended on January 3, 2015 with the year having 53 weeks. Fiscal year 2013 ended on December 28, 2013 and fiscal year 2012 ended on December 29, 2012, each year having 52 weeks.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at financial institutions with strong credit ratings.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable from the sale of products are recorded at net realizable value and the Company generally grants credit to customers on an unsecured basis. Substantially all of the Company's accounts receivable are due from companies located throughout the United States. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful collections and for disputed claims and quality issues. The allowance is based upon a review of outstanding receivables, historical collection information and existing economic conditions. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Receivables are generally due within 30 to 60 days. Delinquent receivables are written off based on individual credit evaluations and specific circumstances of the customer.

Included in the stock purchase agreement (the "SPA") of Palmer, the sellers guaranteed the collectability of the acquired accounts receivable. Per the SPA, at 120 days after the acquisition date, an allowance for doubtful accounts was established for all open, pre-acquisition receivables of $821,000, with an offsetting increase in the amount due from the sellers during the year ended December 29, 2012. Subsequent collections on these accounts by the Company are reimbursed to the sellers.

Included in the SPA of Specialty, the sellers guaranteed the collectability of the acquired accounts receivable. Per the SPA, at 120 days after the acquisition date, any uncollected accounts receivable will be remitted to the Company.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of

inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and current market conditions. Based upon historical results, the Company also maintains an inventory reserve to provide for the amount of estimated inventory quantity loss since the last physical inventory. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, inventories have been reduced by $4,866,000 and $2,217,000, respectively, for obsolescence, market and physical inventory reserves.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. Land improvements and buildings are depreciated over a range of ten to 40 years, and machinery, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over a range of three to 20 years. The costs of software licenses are amortized over five years using the straight-line method. The Company continually reviews the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets. The Company also reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. When the future undiscounted cash flows of the operation to which the assets relate do not exceed the carrying value of the asset, the assets are written down to fair value.

Business Combinations

Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations in accordance with GAAP. Under this method, the total consideration transferred to consummate the acquisition is allocated to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as of the closing date of the acquisition. The acquisition method of accounting requires extensive use of estimates and judgments to allocate the consideration transferred to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets, if any, acquired and liabilities assumed.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Deferred Charges

Goodwill, arising from the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets of businesses acquired, is not amortized but is reviewed annually in the fourth quarter for impairment. Intangible assets represent the fair value of intellectual, non-physical assets resulting from a business acquisition. Deferred charges represent other intangible assets such as debt service costs. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using an accelerated method or a straight-line method. Deferred charges are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Deferred charges are amortized over a period ranging from 3 to 10 years and intangible assets are amortized over a period ranging from 10 to 15 years. The weighted average amortization period for the customer relationships is approximately twelve years. Deferred charges and intangible assets totaled $20,961,000 and $9,407,000 at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization of deferred charges and intangible assets as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 totaled $3,670,000 and $2,203,000, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on existing deferred charges and intangible assets is: 2015 - $2,335,000, 2016 - $2,171,000, 2017 - $2,032,000; 2018 - $1,868,000; 2019 - $1,740,000; and thereafter - $7,145,000. The Company recorded amortization expense of $1,466,000, $1,598,000 and $568,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales is recognized at the time ownership of goods transfers to the customer and the earnings process is complete, which is typically on the date the inventory is shipped to the customer.

Shipping Costs

Shipping costs of approximately $3,775,000, $4,871,000 and $3,445,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are recorded in cost of goods sold.

Research and Development Expenses

The Company incurred research and development expense of approximately $531,000, $558,000 and $612,000 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

Earnings per share of common stock are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. See Note 12.

Fair Value Disclosures

The Company makes estimates of fair value in accounting for certain transactions, in testing and measuring impairment, and in providing disclosures of fair value in its consolidated financial instruments. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments for disclosure purposes by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs

when measuring fair value. Fair value disclosures for assets and liabilities are grouped in three levels. The levels prioritize the inputs used to measure the fair value of the assets or liabilities. These levels are:

Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets and liabilities, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are less active.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity for assets or liabilities and includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

Estimates of fair value using levels 2 and 3 may require judgments as to the timing and amount of cash flows, discount rates, and other factors requiring significant judgment, and the outcomes may vary widely depending on the selection of these assumptions. The Company's most significant fair value estimates relate to purchase accounting adjustments which included the measurement of contingent consideration, estimating the fair value of the reporting units in testing goodwill for impairment, estimating the fair value of the interest rate swaps, and providing disclosures of the fair values of financial instruments.

As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and borrowings under the Company's line of credit and term loan, which are based on variable interest rates, approximates their fair value.

The Company does not currently have any Level 1 financial assets or liabilities. The Company has three Level 2 financial assets and liabilities. Cash value of life insurance had a fair value of $2,047,000 and $2,007,000 at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The fair value of the life insurance policies was determined by the underwriting insurance company's valuation models and represents the guaranteed value the Company would receive upon surrender of these policies. Changes in the policies' fair value were recorded in non-current assets with corresponding offsetting entries to selling, general and administrative expense. Also, the fair value of the Palmer swap was an asset of $11,000 and $301,000 at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The fair value of the CRI swap was a liability of $215,000 and $80,000 at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The interest rate swaps were priced using discounted cash flow techniques which are corroborated by using non-binding market prices. Changes in the swaps' fair value were recorded in current assets or liabilities, as appropriate, with corresponding offsetting entries to other income (expense). Significant inputs to the discounted cash flow model include projected future cash flows based on projected one-month LIBOR and the average margin for companies with similar credit ratings and similar maturities. These are classified as Level 2 as they are not actively traded and are valued using pricing models that use observable market inputs.

The contingent consideration payments, discussed in Note 16, are classified as Level 3. The amount of the total earn-out liability to the prior owners of Palmer was determined using management's best estimate of Palmer's EBITDA for the three-year earn-out period which will determine the amount of the ultimate payment to be made. The amount of the total earn-out liability due to the prior owner of Specialty was determined using management's best estimate of Specialty's EBITDA for the two-year earn out period which will determine the amount of the ultimate payment to be made. Factors such as volume increases, selling price increases and inflation were used to develop a base projection. The Company believes additional costs will be required to improve employee turnover, safety, internal controls, etc. These estimated costs were deducted in order to determine projected EBITDA. The Company's current cost of borrowing was used to determine the present value of these expected payments. Each quarter-end, the Company re-evaluates their assumptions and adjustments to the estimated present value of the expected payments to be made, if required. During the three months ended June 28, 2014, the Company reviewed the Palmer earn-out reserve for the second and third year payments and determined the EBTIDA threshold target of $5,825,000 for the period from August 22, 2013 to August 21, 2014 ("Year 2") would not be attained, and therefore, the earn-out payment of $2,500,000 for Year 2 was not made to the former Palmer shareholders. As a result, the Company adjusted the earn-out liability to the present value of the Company's current estimates by recognizing a gain of approximately $3,476,000 during the second quarter. The Company does not expect Palmer to meet the EBITDA threshold target of $6,825,000 during the final twelve month earn-out period; however, it should reach the $5,825,000 threshold for year three.

The following table presents a summary of changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 liabilities measured on a recurring basis for 2014 and 2013:



	Level 3 Inputs
Balance at December 29, 2012	$	8,208,831
Interest expense charged during the year	153,200
Payment to Palmer sellers	(2,500,000		)
Balance at December 28, 2013	5,862,031
Present value of contingent consideration liability associated with the Specialty acquisition	4,773,620
Interest expense charged during the year	96,933
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability associated with the Palmer acquisition	(3,476,197		)
Balance at January 3, 2015	$	7,256,387

There were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in the years ended January 3, 2015 or December 28, 2013. There have also been no changes in the fair value methodologies used by the Company during the years ended January 3, 2015 or December 28, 2013.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions, primarily for testing goodwill for impairment, determining proper period-end balances for certain employee benefit accruals, estimating fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of business acquisitions and for establishing reserves on accounts receivable, inventories and environmental issues, that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits, trade accounts receivable and cash surrender value of life insurance. The cash surrender value of life insurance is the contractual amount on policies maintained with one insurance company. The Company performs a periodic evaluation of the relative credit standing of this company as it relates to the insurance industry.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. These reclassifications had no material effect on previously reported results of operations or shareholders' equity.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity", which changes the criteria for when the disposal of a component entity may be presented as discontinued operations. The standard requires that the disposal be considered a strategic shift (such as the disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major part of an entity) which will have a major effect on a reporting entity's operating and financial results in order to be presented as discontinued operations. Disposals that do qualify for discontinued operations presentation will require expanded disclosure. ASU 2014-08 is effective for disposals which occur during annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The Company did not elect to early adopt the provisions of this ASU.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", which changes the criteria for recognizing revenue. The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires a five-step process for recognizing revenue including identifying the contract with the customer, identifying the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognizing revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of filing this Form 10-K.

Note 2 Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:



	2014		2013
Land	$	1,742,213	$	652,213
Land improvements	714,398		662,521
Buildings	21,371,594		18,586,308
Machinery, fixtures and equipment	56,651,197		50,239,409
Construction-in-progress	5,494,166		5,014,348
	85,973,568		75,154,799
Less accumulated depreciation	46,036,102		42,489,518
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	39,937,466	$	32,665,281

The Company recorded depreciation expense from continuing operations of $3,725,000, $3,074,000, and $2,394,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note 3 Long-term Debt



	2014		2013
$ 40,000,000 Revolving line of credit, due November 21, 2017	$	884,637	$	—
$10,000,000 Term loan, due November 21, 2019	10,000,000		—
$22,500,000 Term loan, due August 21, 2022	17,250,000		19,500,000
$4,033,250 Mortgage, due August 19, 2023	3,654,713		3,938,616
	31,789,350		23,438,616
Less current portion	4,533,908		2,533,908
Long-term debt, less current portion	$	27,255,442	$	20,904,708

On June 30, 2010, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with a regional bank to provide a $20,000,000 line of credit that was to expire on June 30, 2013. This agreement was amended by the bank on August 19, 2011 to extend the maturity date of the Credit Agreement by one additional year to June 30, 2014. In connection with the Palmer acquisition discussed in Note 16, on August 21, 2012, the Company modified the Credit Agreement to increase the limit of the credit facility by $5,000,000 to a maximum of $25,000,000, and extended the maturity date to August 21, 2015. On October 22, 2012, the Company modified this agreement to increase the limit by an additional $5,000,000 to a maximum of $30,000,000. This increase was in effect for one year and the maximum line of credit reverted back to $25,000,000 on October 22, 2013. In connection with the Specialty acquisition discussed in Note 16, on November 21, 2014, the Company modified the Credit Agreement to increase the limit of the credit facility by $15,000,000 to a maximum of $40,000,000, and extended the maturity date to November 21, 2017. The Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), tangible net worth floor (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) were changed as a result of this modification. None of the other provisions of the Credit Agreement were changed as a result of this modification. Interest on the Credit Agreement is calculated using the One Month LIBOR (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus a pre-defined spread, based on the Company's Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Borrowings under the line of credit are limited to an amount equal to a borrowing base calculation that includes eligible accounts receivable, inventories and other non-capital assets.

In connection with the acquisition of Specialty, discussed in Note 16, the Credit Agreement modification on November 21, 2014 also provided for a five-year term loan, expiring November 21, 2019, in the amount of $10,000,000 that requires equal monthly payments of $166,667, plus interest, calculated using the One Month LIBOR (as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus a pre-defined spread, based on the Company's Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The interest rate was 2.07 percent at January 3, 2015.

The Credit Agreement modification on August 21, 2012 also provided for a ten-year term loan in the amount of $22,500,000 that requires equal monthly payments of $187,500 plus interest. The interest rate was 2.42 percent at January 3, 2015. In conjunction with this term loan, to mitigate the variability of the interest rate risk, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract (the "Palmer swap") on August 21, 2012 with its current bank. The Palmer swap was for an initial notional amount of $22,500,000 with a fixed interest rate of 3.74 percent, and a term of ten years, expiring on August 21, 2022, which is consistent with the maturity of the term loan. The notional amount of the interest rate swap decreases as monthly principal payments are made.

In connection with acquisition of CRI, discussed in Note 16, on August 9, 2013 the Company amended its Credit Agreement for a new ten-year term loan in the amount of $4,033,250, with monthly principal payments customized to account for the 20-year amortization of the real estate assets combined with a 5-year amortization of the equipment assets purchased. The interest rate was 2.16 percent at January 3, 2015. In conjunction with this term loan, to mitigate the variability of interest rate risk, the Company entered into the CRI swap on September 3, 2013. The CRI swap was for an initial notional amount of $4,033,250 with a fixed interest rate of 4.83 percent and runs for ten years to August 19, 2023, which equates to the due date of the term loan. The notional amount of the interest rate swap decreases as monthly principal payments are made.

Although both swap agreements are expected to effectively offset variable interest in the borrowings, hedge accounting will not be utilized. Therefore, changes in their fair value are recorded in current assets or liabilities, as appropriate, with corresponding offsetting entries to other income (expense). The Company recorded an $11,000 asset and a $301,000 asset for the fair value of the Palmer swap as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the Company recorded a liability of $215,000 and $80,000, respectively, for the fair value of the CRI swap. During 2012, a portion of the initial change in fair value on the CRI swap was deemed to be attributable to a cost of underwriting the term loan obtained for the CRI acquisition; therefore $70,000 of the total change in fair value was classified as an acquisition cost, and the remainder as other income (expense). In future periods, the change in fair value will be charged or credited to other income or expense.

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company was required to pledge all of its tangible and intangible properties, including the acquired assets of Specialty, Palmer and CRI. Covenants under the Credit Agreement include maintaining a certain Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), a minimum tangible net worth, and total liabilities to tangible net worth ratio. The Company will also be limited to a maximum amount of capital expenditures per year, which is in line with the Company's currently projected needs. At January 3, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

The line of credit interest rates were 1.77 percent, 2.16 percent, and 2.21 percent at January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, respectively. Additionally, the Company is required to pay a fee equal to 0.125 percent on the average daily unused amount of the line of credit on a quarterly basis. As of January 3, 2015, the amount available for borrowing under the line of credit was $40,000,000 of which $884,637 was borrowed, leaving $39,115,363 of availability. Average line of credit borrowings outstanding during fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $2,735,000, $19,860,000 and $11,045,000 with weighted average interest rates of 1.35 percent, 1.74 percent and 1.82 percent, respectively. The average borrowings for 2014 and 2013 were determined based on the period the Company had an outstanding balance on the line of credit. During 2013, the line of credit was completely paid in October 2013 and the Company had no borrowings on the line of credit until December 2014.

The Company also had one vehicle loan with a bank that was acquired with the acquisition of Palmer (Note 16) and was paid in full during 2013. Monthly installments of $2,039 including principal and interest were due on the loan, expiring April 16, 2015. The interest rate on the vehicle loan was fixed at 0.90 percent. The vehicle loan was secured by the vehicle.

Scheduled maturities of total long-term debt obligations are as follows: 2015 - $4,534,000; 2016 - $4,534,000; 2017 - $4,534,000; 2018 - $4,497,000; 2019 - $4,258,000; and thereafter - $8,547,000.

The Company made interest payments on all credit facilities of $930,000 in 2014, $1,202,000 in 2013 and $492,000 in 2012.

Note 4 Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:



	2014		2013
Salaries, wages and commissions	$	2,814,279	$	1,224,856
Current portion of contingent consideration	4,659,871		2,500,000
Facility closing reserves	1,570,399		—
Uncertain tax positions	1,504,146		—
Advances from customers	1,027,123		1,617,298
Insurance	859,151		1,229,440
Current portion of pension liability from the closure of Bristol Fab	780,595		—
Taxes, other than income taxes	470,456		795,015
Benefit plans	212,352		530,603
Interest	56,922		31,015
Professional fees	194,065		302,304
Interest rate swap liability	215,188		80,498
Current portion of deferred compensation	51,000		51,000
Other accrued items	269,139		820,340
Total accrued expenses	$	14,684,686	$	9,182,369

Note 5 Environmental Compliance Costs

At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the Company had accrued $576,000 and $626,000, respectively, for remediation costs which, in management's best estimate, is sufficient to satisfy anticipated costs of known remediation requirements as outlined below. Expenditures related to costs currently accrued are not discounted to their present values and are expected to be made over the next three to four years. As a result of the evolving nature of the environmental regulations, the difficulty in estimating the extent and remedy of environmental contamination, and the availability and application of technology, the estimated costs for future environmental compliance and remediation are subject to uncertainties and it is not possible to predict the amount or timing of future costs of environmental matters which may subsequently be determined.

Prior to 1987, the Company utilized certain products at its chemical facilities that are currently classified as hazardous materials. Testing of the groundwater in the areas of the former wastewater treatment impoundments at these facilities disclosed the presence of certain contaminants. In addition, several solid waste management units ("SWMUs") at the plant sites have been identified. In 1998, the Company completed a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") Facility Investigation at its Spartanburg, SC plant site, and based on the results, completed a Corrective Measures Study in 2000. A Corrective Measures Plan specifying remediation procedures to be performed was submitted in 2000 and the Company received regulatory approval. In prior years, remediation projects were completed to clean up all 14 SWMUs on the Spartanburg plant site at a cost of approximately $968,000. On October 2, 2009, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and sold the Spartanburg facilities. As part of the Agreement, the purchaser agreed to assume any and all future unidentified environmental liabilities at the site and pay all future annual monitoring and reporting costs required by the RCRA permit covering the site. The Company has completed all of the RCRA-Permit required cleanup projects.

At the former Augusta, GA plant site, the Company submitted a Baseline Risk Assessment and Corrective Measures Plan for regulatory approval. A Closure and Post-Closure Care Plan was submitted and approved in 2001 for the closure of the surface impoundment (former regulated unit). The Company completed and certified closure of the surface impoundment during 2002. During 2005, the Company completed a preliminary analysis of remedial alternatives to eliminate direct contact with surface soils based on the Baseline Risk Assessment. In 2011, the Company identified a concentration of soil contamination. With the approval of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division ("EPD"), the affected soil was removed and the section of the property was backfilled with clean fill material plus selected chemicals to clean any impurities left behind. Based upon the soil remediation performed, the Company filed a Site-Wide Corrective Action Plan with the EPD in December 2011 to terminate the RCRA Permit. During 2014, the EPD closed the surface impoundment regulated unit since the Company met post-closure clean-up goals and the Company renewed the Corrective Action Permit, which includes a site-wide corrective action plan, long-term monitoring and institutional controls. The Company has accrued $501,000 and $551,000 at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively, for estimated future remedial and cleanup costs. As part of the Asset Purchase Agreement for

the Spartanburg facility, the purchaser also agreed to pay for all future annual monitoring and reporting costs at the Augusta facility required by the EPD.

The Company has identified and evaluated two SWMUs at its plant in Bristol, Tennessee that revealed residual groundwater contamination. An Interim Corrective Measures Plan to address the final area of contamination identified was submitted for regulatory approval and was approved in March 2005. The Company had $75,000 accrued at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, to provide for estimated future remedial and cleanup costs.

The Company has been designated, along with others, as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or comparable state statutes, at two waste disposal sites. Notifications for these two sites were received by the Company in November 2007 and February 2008. The site represented by the November 2007 notification was settled during 2013. The Company was not named in the final settlement and was not required to make any payments. It is impossible to determine the ultimate costs related to the remaining site due to several factors such as the unknown possible magnitude of possible contamination, the unknown timing and extent of the corrective actions which may be required, and the determination of the Company's liability in proportion to the other parties. At the present time, the Company does not have sufficient information to form an opinion as to whether it has any liability, or the amount of such liability, if any. However, it is reasonably possible that some liability exists.

The Company was also named as one of many potentially responsible parties in a Superfund Site brought by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Notification for this site was received on September 13, 2010. The Company qualified for a special de minimis party settlement at this site and upon payment of approximately $2,000 in 2013, was released from further consideration.

The Company does not anticipate any insurance recoveries to offset the environmental remediation costs it has incurred. Due to the uncertainty regarding court and regulatory decisions, and possible future legislation or rulings regarding the environment, many insurers will not cover environmental impairment risks, particularly in the chemical industry. Hence, the Company has been unable to obtain this coverage at an affordable price.

Note 6 Deferred Compensation

The Company has deferred compensation agreements with certain former officers providing for payments for the longer of ten years or life from age 65. The present value of such vested future payments, $261,000 at January 3, 2015 and $271,000 at December 28, 2013, has been accrued.

Note 7 Stock Options, Stock Grants and New Stock Issues

A summary of activity in the Company's stock option plans is as follows:



	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options Outstanding		Weighted Average Contractual Term (in years)	Intrinsic Value of Options		Options Available
At December 31, 2011	$	11.28	120,800		8.0	$	6,448	250,000
Granted February 9, 2012	$	11.35	36,740					(36,740	)
Granted August 21, 2012	$	12.73	75,000					(75,000	)
Exercised	$	10.50	(11,800	)
Expired	$	—	—					—
At December 29, 2012	$	11.82	220,740		8.4	$	367,937	138,260
Granted February 7, 2013	$	13.70	40,594					(40,594	)
Exercised	$	10.69	(15,247	)
Expired	$	12.70	(83,351	)				83,351
At December 28, 2013	$	11.95	162,736		7.5	$	582,894	181,017
Granted February 20, 2014	$	14.76	13,790					(13,790	)
Exercised	$	11.23	(17,074	)